THERE is always cause for satisfaction when a side with serious championship aspirations wins 5-1 at home.

But as Aston Villa celebrated their rise to the top of the Premier league after yesterday's handsome triumph against Middlesbrough, it said much for their all-round strength that five different names appeared on the scoresheet.

Three first-half goals from Garry Parker, Paul McGrath and Dwight Yorke ended the match as a contest after 45 minutes.

Dean Saunders and Shaun Teale completed Middlesbrough's misery before Craig Hignett scored a late consolation goal for the visitors.

The manner in which Villa refused to rest on their laurels in the second half was another impressive facet of their performance.

Yorke, hit by back and groin injuries last year and only recently back in the first team, did much to put a disclaimer on his concern that he was a 'one-season wonder'.

The only question mark against Villa was that better opposition might have made them pay for the number of chances missed.

"I enjoyed it very much," said the Villa manager Ron Atkinson.

"Overall we deserved the live goals, and should have had more. We gave value for money."

Villa move the ball about well, while the mesmerising play of Yorke, Froggatt and Saunders, often playing in neat triangles, always promise a glut of goalmouth action.

As Atkinson said: "They played as if they enjoyed playing football. if the players can reproduce that sort of performance they've got the potential to win the title but Manchester United are still favourites."

Villa were quite awesome at times. displaying an attacking prowess worthy of reward if it is maintained until the end of the season.

Their approach to the game did not falter throughout 90 minutes in which they also hit the woodwork three times.