THE word has it that, under their third new manager in three years, Wimbledon's long stay as the first division's unwanted guests is about to come to an end.

They lost to vibrant Villa yesterday as Ron Atkinson's new creation continued their flamboyant charge up the division, but don't you believe a word of it on this performance.

Almost overrun in the first half. Wimbledon, with four regulars missing, had Villa hanging on desperately at the end.

They may have their third new manager in three years. they may continue to exist on a diet of 7,000 gates and selling their best players to survive, but they are incorrigible, their battling refusal to admit defeat one of the glories of the British game, how a crowd for too long starved of either, are loving it.

Two minutes after the second goal, in itself a splendid strike, a typical piece of bravura saw Daley meeting Blake's long cross with a flashing volley which flew a foot over the bar.

The crowd's reply was a mass chant of "Oh Ronnie. Ronnie. Ronnie. Ronnie Ronnie Atkinson."

If only Villa had their quality to add to their undoubted talents. It has not taken Ron Atkinson long to stamp his presence on Villa Park. Two up in half an hour yesterday. the scene was set for his team to play with the swagger Atkinson expects from his sides and they duly responded.

It may not win the League, which requires substance as well as style, but It was too much for Wimbledon.

Indeed. Villa could have been five up by the interval as lan Olney and Cyrille Regis tore Wimbledon's makeshift central defence apart, Blake dominated midfield. Daley for a time threatened to run Barton to destruction on one wing and the £2.5M rated Terry Phelan had his hands full with Yorke.

But Wimbledon being Wimbledon, of course, they resisted determinedly.

Barton might have been having his problems with Daley, and had his culpability for the first goal as Olney took him on with relish before beating Segers with a low drive, but the full-back at least did not give up, twice turning up on the goal-line to deny Yorke and Blake.

Segers was in equally determined mood. Unable to do anything to deny Olney, or Yorke after Olney's splendid angled pass put the young winger clear, he came to his side's rescue with close range saves from Daley and Regis as Villa threatened to run riot.

So Wimbledon were still hanging on at the interval, albeit by their finger tips. And Wimbledon being Wimbledon, that was all the purchase they needed to mount a fight back.

The ball began to be hit longer, Fashanu began to chase with greater determination, and with Barton everywhere Villa were pushed back.

McGrath though has been in brilliant form this season, and for a long time all Wimbledon's pressure had little end product as their attacks foundered on McGrath's defiance.

When he was beaten as Fashanu met a corner, Staunton. who had spent the first half dinking in crosses, popped up to kick the ball off the line, and Ardley missed a fine chance as Phelan sent McGee clear for a cross.

By now Villa's early flourish was but a memory as Wimbledon battled on, and with 13 minutes remaining the deficit was reduced to one goal as Earle headed back Barton's cross for Fashanu to hook the ball past Sealey.