Aston Villa manager John
Gregory warned his embattled troops there will be more of the same in their challenge for the championship after they scraped out three precious points at Charlton last night.
Richard Rufus' own goal after three minutes of the clash at The Valley settled the game, but Villa were made to fight for their lives before they secured their return to the top of the table in time for Christmas.
''It was hard work tonight, I was a little bit disappointed in the way we played in the first half although we were a bit more like our old selves in the last 20 minutes or so,'' Gregory conceded.
''We didn't play very well but it's all about winning games. We have won a game tonight 1-0 and possibly didn't deserve to win, but nevertheless, a win is a win where I come from so I am happy with that.''
His counterpart, Alan Curbishley, moaned: ''That sums it all up tonight. We have got nothing from another game.
''It has happened to us three or four times in this run. We have been the dominant force but we haven't got the points.'' Table:
PWDLFAPt
Aston Villa181062281736
Chelsea18891291733
Manchester Utd18873362331
Middlesbrough18792302130
Leeds18783291729
Arsenal18783201129
West Ham18855222229
qThe protected position Britain has enjoyed for more than 50 years at football's power base is set to be challenged in the wake of the ''cash-for-votes'' scandal at the English Football Association.
Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland have been
guaranteed the exclusive right to nominate a FIFA vice-president between them. However, that privilege now seems likely to be challenged in the wake of FA chairman Keith Wiseman's own abortive bid for a place in the
corridors of power.
Three members of FIFA's
executive committee have told Northern Ireland FA president Jim Boyce that a motion calling for the end to that right is set to be debated at special congress of the world governing body in Los Angeles on July 9.
The controversy over the #3.2m loan or grant which Wiseman and chief executive Graham Kelly agreed to give the Football Association of Wales has not helped improve England's reputation.
That move, which led to Kelly's enforced resignation and the likely downfall of Wiseman next month, was alleged to have been in return for the Welsh supporting the FA chairman's bid to replace Scotland's David Will as the Home Nations' vice-president at FIFA.
q Neil Ruddock and Trevor Sinclair will face the wrath of their West Ham manager Harry Redknapp if they are found guilty of charges resulting from an
incident during the club's Christmas party.
Ruddock has been charged with affray and Sinclair with criminal damage in connection with an incident involving a woman motorist's car and will appear in court today.
Played yesterday
Premiership - Charlton 0, Aston Villa 1.
Football today
Auto Windscreens Shield North first round - Notts County v Hull
Premier Youth League - Hearts v Dunfermline (Medowbank) 1pm. Reserve League - St Mirren v Stranraer.
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