Michael Johnson was the match winner with a well-taken goal in the 48th minute, after Elano had created space in the heart of Villa's defence and threaded a perfectly weighted ball through to the teenager.
In a match high on endeavour put low on clear cut opportunities, Villa struggled to create a genuine threat despite fielding the same team which beat
The best the visitors could offer was when Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor both sent headers wide. And when Zat Knight did eventually find a way past Schmeichel, the effort was ruled out for handball.
City moved to within one point of leaders Arsenal as Johnson once again proved that despite Eriksson's £40 million summer spending spree, the Swede's most valuable assets could yet prove to be the youngsters he has inherited from the club's academy system.
On a day when Micha Richards, another academy graduate, and Eriksson were given their awards for player and manager of the month respectively, City's move up to second place continues the former England manager's redemption in his adopted country.
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