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 a second-half winner.

Vassell took his goal tally to four in four games against Villa since his é2million 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.

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.

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.

Vital

Gary Cahill has made a promising start to his Villa first team career and he produced a vital tackle to deny 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.

Life

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.

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