Villa keep pressure on with impressive win.

ASTON Villa produced a performance of true championship quality, topped by a wonder goal from Dean Saunders, as they swept aside Ipswich at Villa Park.

Ron Atkinson's side remain second behind Manchester United on goal difference, but sent a warning that their wobble in form is well and truly over.

To cap it all. Saunders scored the sort of goal that will be talked about for many seasons to come, whether Villa win the title or not.

Villa's two superb goals arrived in the space of twelve minutes before half-time. They were already leading through Dwight Yorke's 33rd minute diving header when Saunders struck his 16th goal of the season.

Picking up a short ball from Ray Houghton almost 40 yards out and wide on the right, Saunders swivelled and volleyed first time. His shot looped high and dropped over the frantically back-peddling Clive Baker to fall into the net, sending the 25,395 crowd wild.

Ipswich were in danger of being swept away before half time as Yorke also hit the post. Near the end Saunders twice went close to adding to his score, but was denied by Baker.

Villa manager Ron Atkinson was in buoyant form afterwards”

“I’d like to have seen us score a few more. This is the fourth time we have played Ipswich and I would not have thought that they have been opened up as many times this season as we have today.”