DWIGHT YORKE'S fourth goal in as many matches was enough for Aston Villa to snatch a fifth consecutive victory in their surge up the First Division table.

A fortnight after his 20th birthday, the Trinidad and Tobago World Cup player sank battling Notts County with a crisp left foot strike after 29 minutes.

Yorke's goal transformed the balance of play and County were hanging on grimly when new England cap Tony Daley twice went close before the interval.

Steve Cherry made a fine save from lan Olney early in the second half and this gave County the impetus to make a spirited comeback.

Tony Agana, their record 1750,000 signing from Sheffield United last week, wasted the best opening when put in the clear by a misplaced back pass from Kevin Richardson.

Villa manager Ron Atkinson was involved in a first-half incident with Notts County boss Neil Warnock at Villa Park yesterday. The fire-up began after Warnock had gone to the edge of the pitch to give instructions to his new striker during a break in play. Atkinson moved across into the opposing dug-out and spoke to Warnock, jabbing a rolled up copy of the match programme at his counterpart.