ACCORDING to recent reports, it would have been no surprise to spot Chelsea supremo Roman Abramovich among the crowd at the Riverside on Saturday.

The game would have given him an ideal opportunity to watch what many see as two of the Premiership's finest young managers locking horns.

Steve McClaren and David O'Leary have both been linked to the Stamford Bridge hotseat with Claudio Ranieri's rear certain to be unceremoniously removed from it sometime this summer.

O'Leary would appear more of a longshot as he attempts to rebuild a reputation tarnished during an ugly end to his spell in charge at Leeds United.

McClaren, however, is different gravy. Undoubtedly, Abramovich has been given glowing reports about McClaren's strengths from the Russian's number one target Sven-Goran Eriksson.

McClaren worked alongside the Swede with England and, as Abramovich scours world football for the man who'll bring him the success he craves, his search would no doubt include an area 240 miles north of Chelsea.

McClaren and O'Leary have refused to be drawn on the subject, both trotting out straight bat responses when quizzed.

"It's all speculation," was McClaren's reply. "I was flavour of the month after the Carling Cup Final but I notice there's been a lot of names mentioned including David O'Leary.

"It's pure speculation. I'm concentrating on bringing trophies here, building for next season and making sure this season finishes well."

On Saturday McClaren lost out to O'Leary and, what will disappoint the Boro boss the most, that appeared down to the determination of the opposition.

That determination was borne out of adversity. Less than 15 minutes into the second half Villa were reduced to ten men.

First impressions were that the decision by Graham Barber to dismiss former Newcastle United winger Nolberto Solano for a clash with George Boateng appeared a little harsh.

Closer inspection revealed the Peruvian aiming a kick and then putting his hand in Boateng's face. The Dutch midfielder did make a meal of the incident but he was the injured party.

O'Leary didn't agree. "Boateng has a great future in films," was his synopsis. "It's sad to see a professional look to get another professional sent-off. It looked fantastic on TV."

McClaren had his straight bat out again. "I honestly haven't seen it," he said. "It was over on the far side and I didn't see it.

"Incidents happen in the game and sometimes after the game you have to forget them."

The game was all square before the sending off. Joseph-Desire Job had opened the scoring in an entertaining first half after 41minutes.

Gaizka Mendieta was the creator. Breaking down the right, he cut inside, before picking out an unmarked Job on the right side of the penalty area.

The Cameroon striker swivelled before burying a left-footed shot into the top right hand corner of the net.

The lead was held for all of four minutes. Solano was fouled by Franck Queudrue on the right of the penalty box, Thomas Hitzlsperger floated his free-kick in and Gareth Barry headed home unmarked.

After the sending off Boro poured forward but were thwarted by a Scandinavian double act - Sweden's Olof Mellberg and Denmark's Thomas Sorensen.

Mellberg produced several excellent tackles and Sorensen numerous top-class saves - following on from a great one handed tip over from Boateng's 30-yarder in the first-half.

The former Sunderland keeper was making his second return to the North-East after his summer £2.25m move to the Midlands.

He said: "Everyone will say we didn't deserve to win and they're right. But there's so much spirit in the side.

"When we had our backs against the wall everyone came out fighting. We showed our character in the second half.

"The result was probably not deserved but when you get results like this you think, just maybe we can get that fourth place.

"It does get you thinking and we are going for that fourth place - we are saying it know.

"Before Saturday we said we needed four wins and it's now one down three to go. Considering we were third bottom in December it makes it even sweeter.

"In fact at one stage in December I thought 'oh no it's another Sunderland'."

Villa's revival now has Sorensen looking at Champions League rather than Nationwide League.

On Saturday that was thanks to substitute Peter Crouch. With McClaren throwing caution to the wind - replacing both his full-backs with attacking players - Villa pounced.

There was just over a minute of normal time remaining when Ulises De La Cruz broke far too easily down the right.

The Ecuadorian full-back cut inside and hit a left shot that Mark Schwarzer would have hoped to have done better with.

Unfortunately he could only parry the effort, the ball falling straight to Crouch six yards out to deliver the coup de grace, and hand any managers' bragging rights to O'Leary.

Result: Middlesbrough: 1 Aston Villa 2.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.