IF VILLA'S players are hungry for Wembley places, they are certainly making a good job of disguising the fact.

For the second consecutive match, their appetite was strangely subdued last night as three more points went astray in another lethargic performance.

Just why Ron Atkinson's outfit should lose their cutting edge with a major cup final looming is something of a mystery, but it is one they desperately need to solve before the Coca-Cola League Cup showdown with Manchester United.

Perhaps the club's lengthening injury list with Dalian Atkinson the latest casualty has given the remainder of the squad the impression that Wembley shirts are there for the taking.

But the tame, ineffective manner in which Villa have strutted through their last two Premiership games is disturbing.

As the manager observed, last night's showing was, at least, an improvement on Saturday's debacle against Ipswich.

Even so, there was rarely any question of victory over a Leeds side who were slicker, and far more eager in all departments.

Villa's plus points were few, although a couple of players gave Atkinson food for thought during the countdown to the final.

Garry Parker, forgiven by hie boss for Saturday's retort to the bench, responded with a composed display which must make him a strong candidate for one of the midfield berths.

Stephen Froggatt also acquitted himself well on the left, while Dalian Atkinson was the one visiting player who looked capable of scoring before he limped off with a hamstring injury 18 minutes from time.

But Villa's defence, so often rock solid, looked decidedly shaky.

Shaun Teale will not be happy at the way Rod Wallace shrugged off his challenge to surge through and blast Leeds into a 27th minute lead from Gary Speed's through ball.

Paul McGrath was at fault, too, in allowing Brian Deane to get in front of him for the 51st minute stooping header which effectively killed off Villa's hopes.