The Birmingham Mail continue to ‘support’ Villa in their inimitable style:

A FIRST victory of the season, and the manner in which it was achieved, provided double delight for Villa manager Ron Atkinson at Bramall Lane.

As Villa have painfully discovered over the past two seasons, failure to compete with Dave Bassett's direct, no-nonsense approach, can only result in misery.

This time, though, they not only matched United at their own game, but did so without sacrificing the quality which has become their hallmark under Big Ron.

When a physical approach was required Villa never once shirked their responsibility.

But they also found time and space to exhibit the silky skills and fluidity which had gone largely unrewarded in four previous matches.

Garry Parker's thundering fourth minute strike provided the springboard for both a thoroughly professional team performance and the midfielder’s most effective individual contribution since his £650,000 transfer from Nottingham Forest last November.

Parker's guile and vision gave Villa a classy edge which was far too sharp for the somewhat blunt Blades, and with Ray Houghton and Kevin Richardson continuing to forge a formidable midfield, Atkinson's side once again oozed enormous potential.

Central defenders Paul McGrath and Shaun Teale were never seriously troubled by the highly-rated Brian Deane, and on the one occasion he managed to get In a goalbound header, Nigel Spink reacted with a marvellous reflex save.

What Villa need now, of course. is to translate the superiority they have enjoyed over the past two matches into success in front of their own supporters.

Home matches against Chelsea and Crystal Palace over the next five days present the perfect opportunity for a surge up the table but don't fall Into the trap of thinking Villa's goalscoring headache is cured.

For the second match running, Dalian Atkinson squandered an inviting headed chance right in front of goal.

The £1.6 million striker is at his best when turning and taking on opponents rather than providing penalty area menace, and Cyrille Regis's lack of fitness has compounded the problem. The sooner Dwight Yorke is fit, the better.