City cruising towards top

Manchester City were on course to go top of the Barclays Premier League after taking a commanding 3-0 half-time lead over out-of-form Aston Villa at Eastlands.

Controversial Italian striker Mario Balotelli – recalled to the starting XI because of concerns over the fitness of Carlos Tevez – set City on their way in the eighth minute with a penalty after he was tripped by Eric Lichaj.