THE M.E.N's Chris Bailey gives his verdict on the Blues' performance.

JAMES: No chance with the goal and just needed to show his brilliance on one occasion in the first half6

MILLS: Not the barnstorming overlapping Mills of the last two home games, but no less effective7

SOMMEIL: Off at half time after sustaining an injury and his loss made Blues' shape less effective6

DISTIN: How long can France ignore a player who has been immense all season?8

JORDAN: Can sometimes look out of position but rarely loses a tackle, even if it's 40-60 against him6

BARTON: Hobbled for last half hour after he should have been awarded a penalty. City can't afford to lose him7

IRELAND: Some of his touches are simply brilliant but his overall influence waned after the break7

CROFT: Decent enough debut for youngster, who gave Villa plenty to think about6

MUSAMPA: Abundance of zest early on but his second-half passing ranged from the exquisite to the careless6

COLE: What an influence. Made Vassell's second with great skill and thoroughly deserved his deflected late effort8

VASSELL: He couldn't have dreamed anything better than his first-half double against his old team8

Subs: Sun (for Sommeil 46) - Filled in at right back and did steady job6

Sibierski (for Croft 68) - Won some important headers6

Wright-Phillips (for Cole 86) - Too late to make mark

Not used: De Vlieger and Richards

VILLA: Taylor, Delaney, Samuel (Berger 46 (Djemba Djemba 74)), Mellberg, Barry, McCann, Milner, Davis, Ridgewell, Phillips, Moore (Bakke 70). Not used: Sorensen and De la Cruz

GOALS: CITY - Vassell (3 & 26) Cole (83); Villa - Ridgewell (64)

BOOKINGS: CITY - Barton (31); Villa - JLloyd Samuel (21),

ATTENDANCE: 42,069

REF: D Gallagher (Oxon) - Missed cast iron Blues penalty but otherwise fine - 6

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