IN A weekend where Villa attracted the sort of publicity normally reserved for wayward politicians, Dean Saunders did a Saatchi & Saatchi job for Ron Atkinson's side.

With the club splashed all over the papers for the wrong reasons, a cup giant killing would have created even more unwelcome column inches.

And, for just under an hour, there was always the possibility that Alan Ball's Second Division Exeter were capable of causing such an upset against a side still pondering the future of missing defender Paul McGrath.

Yet, one moment of acceleration from Saunders put Villa's minds at rest and quelled Exeter's brave victory bid.

Saunders showed a clean pair of heels to defender Pete Whiston who felled the Welsh striker in the penalty area. A decisive spot kick from Saunders settled Villa like a glass of Alka-Seltzer.

More importantly, it meant that the Premiership side were finally able to live up to their status and clinch a win the form book predicted. Before that however, Villa were given a few scares as they struggled to impose themselves on a lively and inventive Exeter side who were only lacking in killer instinct.

And while Villa's defence was kept working overtime, their midfield was kept quiet by an Exeter side who allowed them little room to play.

Saunders impressed throughout, but he got little service as Exeter belied their lowly position. They were the better side before the break and in the early stages of the second half before running out of steam to allow Villa to take command in the last half hour.

By then though, Atkinson's side could easily have been behind and staring disaster in the face.

True, as the cliche says, The Cup is a great leveller', but Villa's docile display in the early stages despite the strength sapping conditions on a heavy pitch did not bode well in a year of big cup expectations from Villa. Fortunately, their improved second half display at least went some way to setting the record straight.

At times though, Villa were being made to look second best by the likes of Stuart Storer, who was sold by Blues for £25,000 seven years ago, and journeyman midfielder Russell Coughlin.

Ball's team certainly gave Villa something to think about. Their beat chance came in the first half when Mickey Ross skimmed the crossbar.

Ross proved a handful for Shaun Teale when Exeter were playing their best football. And Ross went down clutching his face and needing treatment when the pair were involved in an off the ball incident. Later, Ross was booked for tangling with Teale when the odds were in Villa's favour.

Ray Houghton brought a good save out of Peter Fox with a halt volley, but that was Villa's only real chance of the first half.

Saunders later diplomatically described Atkinson's half-time team talk as a "rollocking" but it must have had some effect as Villa then looked more fluid In the West Country rain.

Yet it was still Exeter who were delighting a packed St James Park with one of their best performances of the season.

Scott Daniels was inches away from a cross in front of goal and Simon Davies shot just wide.

Then Coughlin set Storer clear with a fine ball and Mark Bosnich had to be at his most alert to save. These were worrying moments for Villa, but then the initiative suddenly swung their way.

Houghton was presented with an opening from a deflection which Fox saved at his feet, and Villa were ahead three minutes later.

When Saunders scored, it was tough on plucky Exeter as they had given their all in search of a slice of cup history.

After that. it was Villa's turn to run the show and the recalled Garry Parker and Dalian Atkinson both might have scored in the last 10 minutes, but that really would have been cruel on Exeter.