It's a SOUNDS like a real thriller doesn't it. The scoreline, I'm afraid, tells a lie, as anyone among the 21,852 crowd will unhappily confirm. This, in fact, was very much a Villa Chiller, even if the outcome provided warming and comforting protection against the remaining ravages of winter.

On the basis that results are all important, there will be no complaints from the Villa camp. But had . this match been edited for television highlights, the producer would surely have settled for a rerun of the final 3 minutes, and left it at that.

In a frantic finale, we were treated to a rare Tony Cascarino goal, two left-foot efforts from the Republic of Ireland striker which deserved better fate, a first Villa goal for Dwight Yorke, and a Derby revival Inspired by Mel Sage's 25-yarder.

Exciting stuff but what went before the storming finish, though, was truly dreadful.

An untidy first half, in which desperate Derby were the better side, is easily erased from the memory, and that includes the two goals.

Poor Nigel Spink, whose consistent form has been one of the plus points of a disappointing campaign, will have nightmares about the Mick Harford header which slipped under his body after 26 minutes.

Villa equalised within two minutes from a penalty by Gordon Cowans after a handling offence by Gary Micklewhite.

Cascarino increased Derby County's relegation worries with his first League goal for five months tapping in the easiest of chances as Villa broke Derby's resistance with two goals in a three-minute burst in the second half.

Cascarino's 73rd minute effort was quickly followed by a neatly taken first senior goal for 19-year-old substitute Dwight Yorke.

Fullback Mel Sage set up a hectic finish with a well-struck goal for Derby after 81 minutes but they are now deep in trouble.