Aston Villa 0 - 1 Manchester City

Vassell haunts Villa once again

Updated: April 25, 2006, 5:11 PM ET

Darius Vassell was again Aston Villa's main tormentor as he returned to his former club to end a dismal run for Stuart Pearce's side with the only goal of the game.

Vassell took his goal tally to four in four games against Villa since his £2million switch to Eastlands last summer.

It ended a run of six successive defeats for City, who also knocked lacklustre Villa out of the FA Cup in a fifth round replay last month.

The euphoria of Villa's derby win over Birmingham nine days ago was forgotten and a dissatisfied Holte End greeted the final whistle with a crescendo of boos.

• Pearce relieved after finally securing win

David O'Leary's side have won just once in their last nine games and the pressure will again mount on the Villa boss after this abject performance.

After a fairly even opening 45 minutes, City dominated the second period with Joey Barton running the show in midfield, Albert Riera impressive on the flank and Sylvain Distin a commanding figure at left-back.

For Villa only Gareth Barry and Gavin McCann emerged with much credit and on this evidence whoever is in charge next season needs a massive overhaul of the squad.

The first opening fell to Distin who would have been disappointed to send his header wide of Thomas Sorensen's goal.

A reverse pass from Barry almost played in Milan Baros whose run had beaten the City offside trap but he could only make the minimum of contact at full stretch and David James was able to collect.

Former Villa striker Vassell, predictably booed by the Holte End, had his first opportunity when a sharp turn took him past the challenge of Liam Ridgewell but his low shot lacked power and was easily dealt with by Sorensen.

James was called into meaningful action for the first time after 16 minutes and he did well to beat out a close-range header from Olof Mellberg from Barry's inswinging cross.

Ridgewell became the first player to be yellow carded after chopping down David Sommeil.

Gary Cahill has made a promising start to his Villa first team career and he produced a vital tackle to deny Albert Riera after he had sped into the box and brushed aside two challenges.

James was fortunate when his attempted clearance was intercepted by the persistent Juan Pablo Angel but the striker slipped and Richard Dunne was on hand to clear at the expense of a corner.

Villa assistant manager Roy Aitken was spoken to referee Chris Foy over a verbal outburst.

Pearce made a half-time substitution, bringing on Antoine Sibierski in place of Georgios Samaras and he quickly made his mark on proceedings.

A reverse pass from Sibierski allowed Vassell to run unchallenged into the Villa box but he seemed to lack the confidence to shoot and instead opted to try and find Barton whose shot flew high and wide.

City started to turn the screw and Sorensen made a fine save to beat out a powerful left-footed drive from Riera.

O'Leary decided to substitute Baros after 59 minutes and replace him with Gabriel Agbonlahor. Baros headed straight for the changing rooms and it was uncertain whether he was injured or disappointed at being taken off.

Agbonlahor at last brought the home fans to life with a low drive which was parried by James.

The youngster was not lacking in confidence and surged forward and stung James' hands with a rising shot although it was straight at the England 'keeper.

Sommeil became the first City player to be booked for a heavy challenge on Barry.

Then after 71 minutes Vassell again proved to be the thorn in Villa's side with a clinical piece of finishing.

Claudio Reyna played the ball into Vassell's feet and he was able to turn past the challenge of Mellberg and send a low drive past the dive of Sorensen.

Villa substitute Kevin Phillips had the ball in the net in injury time but was adjudged offside after referee Foy consulted with one of his assistants.

Pearce relieved after finally securing win

Stuart Pearce spoke of his relief after Darius Vassell ended Manchester City's dismal Barclays Premiership run with the winner against his former club Aston Villa.

Vassell struck midway through the second half to bring to a halt a run of six successive defeats since City knocked Villa out of the FA Cup in a fifth round replay.

It was his fourth goal in four meetings with Villa since his £2million move to Eastlands last summer.

But in contrast Villa manager David O'Leary finds himself back under pressure after his side's poor run continued - they now have just one win in the last nine games.

Pearce said: 'It was a pleasing win. It was important we ended the run we have been on as quickly as we could. It has taken seven games to do that which is really disappointing.

'We have all been under a touch of pressure from me down to the players. I've learned a great deal over the last months about everyone around the club.

'But we deserved to win at West Ham last week and now we have come to Villa, kept a clean sheet and triumphed so I'm well pleased.'

Villa manager David O'Leary was incensed at Kevin Phillips having an injury time goal disallowed for offside.

But Pearce had little sympathy and believes such decisions will happen until the offside rule is made clearer.

He said: 'We had two efforts chalked off in a similar way at West Ham and the sooner a change is made to the laws to make it easier for officials, the better.

'The rules should be clear. I don't understand them now. There is a grey area.'

Vassell has now scored 10 goals this season and Pearce said: 'He put his opportunity away in a good fashion and I have been pleased with his contribution since coming to the club.'

Villa manager David O'Leary was convinced his side had been robbed of a share of the spoils from an instantly forgettable game which had an end-of-season feeling about it throughout the 90 minutes.

He said: 'I'm angry we have had a goal chalked off at the end. I've seen the video and Kevin was onside.

'It was a poor game that was fizzling out at 0-0 until we gave a poor goal away in the second half.

'We had to chase the game even more after that and should have come away with something. The equaliser would have been justified.'

Villa striker Milan Baros appeared upset to be substituted just before the hour-mark and headed straight for the dressing rooms without acknowledging O'Leary.

It was in total contrast to the hero status that had greeted the Czech striker after his two-goal blast against Birmingham in the previous home game.

O'Leary said: 'I took him off because he wasn't playing too well. Anyone is not pleased when they are taken off.'