1-1

MAYBE it's a little early to start pushing panic buttons but the signs are worrying to say the least.

Three matches into the new season Villa are still looking for their first win, a statistic which sounds rather less drastic when you consider they haven't lost either.

Where concern begins to creep into the equation, however, is when you take a closer look at the strength of the opposition so far and the manner in which two of Villa's three draws have been achieved.

After a promising opening day performance at Everton, Ron Atkinson's men have contrived to squander leads in the final minutes of two consecutive home matches.

Even that would be of only minor concern if they had been playing the likes of Manchester United, Newcastle or Blackburn.

But where Big Ron's men have stumbled embarrassingly against modest opponents, other clubs have capitalised in ruthless fashion.

Everton slumped 4-0 at Manchester City on Saturday, Southampton were on the receiving end of a 5-1 drubbing. And I'm sure sure Crystal Palace's 6-1 demolition by Liverpool nine days ago will remain an enduring memory throughout the season.

Not that there was ever any question of Palace suffering a similar humiliation on Saturday. Villa had the edge, no question about that. But merely having greater possession on home territory is not going to win any trophies.

Once again they forced their way in front, this time through Steve Staunton's wickedly inswinging corner, only to lack the application to finish the job.

Well before skipper Gareth Southgate plundered Palace's equaliser, three minutes from time, the warning signals had been flashing.

With Paul McGrath never fully at ease against the pace of front runners Chris Armstrong and Bruce Dyer and Earl Barrett only just settling back in, Villa's defence always looked vulnerable. And, while Kevin Richardson's return to the anchor man role offered greater stability in midfield, that crucial department still did not function as it should.

Andy Townsend still hasn't recaptured the driving energy for which Villa paid £2.1 million and which we witnessed only fleetingly last season.

And this summer's new boy John Fashanu is taking time to settle. Fash the Bash could hardly have enjoyed a better debut, scoring at Goodison Park on the opening day and forming a formidable partnership with Dean Saunders.

But he has so tar failed to convince the Villa Park faithful and never seriously threatened Palace.

True, Fashanu's arrival has given Villa an extra attacking option and created competition among the likes of Yorke, Atkinson and the currently sidelined Guy Whittingham.

The same can also be said of Phil King - unlucky to be left out on Saturday and Nii Lamptey, yet to make his Premiership debut.

But all the options in the world do not guarantee good performances.

Villa should really have seven points in the bag by now. The fact it is only three is indicative that, despite a wealth of choices, they still haven't stumbled on the formula for success.