Former favourite Vassell haunts Villa

Aston Villa 0 Manchester City 1

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 switch to Eastlands last summer.

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 after 71 minutes.

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.

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.

Eircom League First Division Result:

Kilkenny City 0 Limerick 1 (Purcell 57).