Small mercies - Villa 5 Tamworth 0

AT a time when worried Villa fans are desperately clutching for any positives - at least Kevin MacDonald's reign got off to a winning start on Tuesday.

Admittedly it was only Blue Square Premier opponents Tamworth who turned up for a behind closed doors practice match at Bodymoor Heath.

And it is debatable quite how much of a part MacDonald played when he, Randy Lerner and Paul Faulkner were anxiously and unexpectedly trying to plot a safe course through the first team's opening week of the season.

But, hey, Villa ran out comfortable 5-0 winners - and at a stage where plus points are in short supply, let's be grateful for small mercies and hope it sets the claret and blues up for Saturday's Premier League opener against West Ham.

Good luck, Kevin.