McClaren hails clinical Boro

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren refused to countenance talk of Champions League football on Teesside after seeing his side ease their way into the top four with victory over Aston Villa.

Goals from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Joseph-Desire Job and Michael Reiziger - his first in league football for almost nine years – allowed Boro to bank another three points, although the margin of victory flattered them as Villa more than played their part in an entertaining encounter.