DAVID Platt ended his eight-game goal famine against relegated Millwall - but a championship performance and atmosphere were both sadly missing from Villa Park.

Villa's title hopes had slipped after only five goals in their last seven games and this was another frustrating affair until a relieved Platt struck ten minutes from time.

The England midfield man's 23rd of the season left Villa still two points adrift of leaders Liverpool but with a vastly inferior goal difference.

Their supporters have obviously given up the ghost; the 21,028 crowd was 4,500 below Villa's league average and their lowest home gate since the televised game against Everton on November 5.

Those present witnessed a scrappy affair with Mil!wall giving as good as they got in their first match under new manager Bruce Rioch.

And it looked as though they were going to finish off Villa's chances until Platt struck with a far post header when Danish defender Kent Nielsen flicked on a corner from Gordon Cowans.

Villa manager Graham Taylor refused to concede anything after yesterday's match. "We are still in there," he said defiantly.