DEAN SAUNDERS and Dalian Atkinson's devastating one-two combination for Aston Villa completely flattened title rivals Queens Park Rangers.

With enough punch to make Lennox Lewis envious, Villa lifted themselves to third in the table - just three points behind joint leaders Blackburn and Norwich - and have gone 11 games unbeaten.

Rangers manager Gerry Francis confessed: "Once Villa get their noses in front, they are difficult to contain. - You take risks, because you're chasing the game, and they can hit you through Saunders and Atkinson in the twinkling of an eye.

The way Villa rolled over Rangers proved that Ron Atkinson's impressive outfit have what it takes to emerge as real heavyweights in the fight for the Premier League crown.

Rangers held Villa until two minutes before the interval.

Atkinson and Les Ferdinand had gone close and Saunders must have suspected his luck was out with a 15th-minute effort that bounced off the far post after he had curled a 10-yard shot around Roberts.

But it all changed for Saunders when Atkinson flicked on keeper Nigel Spink's long clearance and the centre-forward left Alan McDonald for dead and hooked the ball past the keeper.

Saunders, Big Ron's inspired £2.3million capture from Liverpool, cracked Villa in front after 43 minutes.

And but for the post and a brilliant save by stand-in keeper Tony Roberts, the Welsh wizard would have had a hat-trick.

Atkinson crushed any idea of a Rangers comeback with Villa's second in the 79th minute, seizing on defender Darren Peacock's slip and sliding the ball between Roberts' legs.

Atkinson proved he can be every bit as deadly as Saunders when the impressive Peacock suddenly lost his footing wide on the touchline. Atko cut in from the left and beat Roberts before the rest of the Rangers rearguard could react.

That was his ninth goal of the season, while Saunders has netted eight in 10 matches.

Boss Atkinson said: "Deano is the best when it comes to sticking the ball in the net. That's why I bought him.

"I reckon there is still a lot more to come from Dalian, who missed most of last term through injury problems. Nobody has seen his true Exocet-style.”