All that could be said for their slip shod out of tune performance on Saturday was that it was marginally more bearable than the complacent rubbish against Ipswich. There is no doubt Villa were considerably more motivated than against Ipswich but it is so long since they attacked in a prolonged, incisive way they appear to have forgotten how to do so. Manager Ron Atkinson was able to field his best defence for only the sixth time since September and their unfamiliarity showed at times. Atkinson can surely never have been set a test like that which confronts him in six days’ time [the Coca-Cola Cup Final versus Manchester United at Wembley]. He must direct an ageing, off form team to produce a command performance on the world’s most famous football stage.