Stroll for City as Vassell returns to haunt Villa

MANCHESTER CITY finally achieved their first away win of the season in the Premiership – and it should come as no surprise that Aston Villa were on the receiving end.

City are now unbeaten in 10 league and cup meetings with the midlands club stretching back to August 2002 and they became the first side to win at Villa Park this season. Former Villa striker Darius Vassell, Joey Barton and Sylvain Distin were on target for Stuart Pearce’s side but it was an all-round impressive performance.

Villa were second best in the opening 45 minutes and any improvement after the interval was only minimal.