NEVER mind Villa's five match unbeaten sequence and their surge to the Premier League's top six.

Those statistics, impressive as they are, don't even begin to illustrate the superb depth of quality currently running through the best side for a decade to wear the famous claret and blue.

These days. quite simply, Ron Atkinson's men are a delight to watch. Even home supporters in Middlesbrough's best crowd of the season left Ayresome Park with reluctant admiration.

Villa were shaping up nicely, not always convincingly. before Dean Saunders' arrival. Now they carry the aura of genuine championship contenders.

Middlesbrough give you nothing at Ayresome Park, as Leeds discovered in a 4-1 thumping earlier in the season, yet Villa were still able to stamp their authority on a contest which was a marvellous advert for the much-maligned Premier League.

Dalian Atkinson's description of Villa as a "tidy side" was something of an understatement. They're compact, all right, but there's also a self-assured exuberance which hasn’t been evident since the days of First Division and European Cup glory.

Villa knocked the ball around the greasy Ayresome surface with all the confidence and panache of a team who know exactly what they are doing.

Saunders and Atkinson provided a spearhead which has already yielded halt a dozen goals - four of them for the new boy - and looks destined to become a razor-sharp double-edged sword as their understanding develops.

Dean Saunders continued his fairytale start with another two-goal blast.

The £2.3million Villa striker matched last week's debut double against old club Liverpool.

Boss Ron Atkinson was asked whether Deano could have improved on his four goals in two games. "Yes - he could have had two hat-tricks," quipped Big Ron.

Saunders opened his Ayresome Park account with a 22nd minute strike.

Boro's Bernie Slaven grabbed an equaliser, but Villa stepped up a gear. More goals - from Dalian Atkinson and Saunders - in three minutes wrecked Boro.

An own goal by Villa's Paul McGrath three minutes from time ensured a frantic finish.

Boro boss Lennie Lawrence admitted: "We were outclassed in the first half. Then after getting back level, we let our hearts rule our heads."