Villa rediscover winning ASTON VILLA 1 LEEDS UNITED 0

DWIGHT Yorke put the smile back on the face of Aston Villa with his second half goal securing his side's first win of the season at Villa Park.

The pre-season optimism about Villa mounting a title challenge evaporated after a disastrous opening three weeks in which Brian Little's side were beaten four times - their worst start to a campaign and conceded nine goals.

But there have been improved performances in the last two games, at Newcastle and Tottenham and Yorke ensured that unhappy run finally came to an end with his second goal of the season.

It was a massive relief to manager Brian Little and the 39,027 crowd and a much needed confidence booster before Villa launch their UEFA Cup campaign in just over a fortnight's time.

Only a splendid display by Leeds' keeper Nigel Martyn and an incredible first half miss from £7 million record signing Stan Collymore kept George Graham's side in the hunt for so long.

Villa were still not firing on all cylinders and there was still an uneasy look to their defence in the opening half with Harry Kewell posing problems down the left flank for an out-of-sorts Gary Charles.

But they gradually got a greater grip on the game.

In the second half, Leeds seldom posed a threat as Villa looked far more incisive and the confidence and self-belief slowly returned to their play. Martyn was tested in the first minute when he beat out a pile-driver from Steve Staunton but play was scrappy in the opening 15 minutes with both sides guilty of misdirected passing.

However, the game gradually came to life and Leeds skipper David Hopkin volleyed over the top when well placed after latching onto a centre from Rod Wallace.

Former Leeds reserve teamer Simon Grayson, recalled in place of the sold Andy Townsend. almost covered himself in glory in the 14th minute. He burst from midfield into the penalty area and his curling right-footed shot was turned around the post at full stretch by Martyn.

Eighteen-year-old Kewell impressed on the left flank but he should have done better when Davie Robertson picked him out in space inside the area as he fired high over the bar. Villa gradually put their game together and Martyn was called into action for the third time when he kept out a backward header from Collymore with a fine one-handed save.

Jimmy Flyod Hasselbaink twice volleyed over the bar for Leeds but it was Villa who ended the opening half with a flourish.

Collymore and Charles combined to set up a chance for Dwight Yorke whose low shot on the turn was deflected wide by Martyn. But the Leeds keeper should have been beaten a minute before half time when Collymore headed wide from six yards out after being picked out by a centre from Charles.

Charles was replaced at half-time by Portugese international Fernando Nelson, but it was Leeds who came closest to breaking the deadlock shortly after the restart.

Wallace released Bruno Ribero down the centre and he burst into the Villa penalty area only for keeper Mark Bosnich to block his low effort.

But Villa were generally the more threatening and Martyn pulled off another excellent save to deny Collymore in the 55th minute. Wright's inswinging corner picked out the onrushing Collymore at the near post but Martyn somehow managed to keep out his powerful downward header.

But Villa were not to be denied and the finally went ahead in the 67th minute. A free kick from Wright was flicked on by Collymore to Yorke at the far post and he steadied himself before planting a low drive past Martyn. Kewell could have snatched an equaliser in the 73rd minute after latching onto a long ball from Kelly but he blazed his shot into the side netting.