Manchester City 0 Aston Villa 2

Last updated : 28 April 2007 By Footymad Previewer
Manchester City's home blues continued following a latest defeat inflected by Aston Villa.

Incredibly, City's last home Premiership victory was against Everton on New Year's Day which was also the last time they scored a league goal on their own ground.

Since then City have failed to register a victory in seven attempts, yet in the corresponding period they have triumphed three times on the road.

While there were further boos and jeers from disgruntled City fans, it was an altogether different story for victorious Villa, who continued their storming finish to the Premiership campaign.

Goals from John Carew and substitute Shaun Maloney extended Villa's unbeaten run for seven matches, including three wins in a row on their travels - a sequence which has lifted them into the top half of the table.

Carew opened the scoring midway through the opening period with his fourth goal since his arrival in January.

Ashley Young crossed from the left and Carew stole in front of defenders Sylvain Distin and Richard Dunne at the near post to head home high into the roof of the net.

Gabriel Agbonlahor ought to have sealed victory six minutes later with a free header from a quickly taken free-kick by Gareth Barry, but his effort flew narrowly wide.

Joey Barton was City's most potent attacking weapon in the opening half twice being denied by smart saves from keeper Thomas Sorensen.

And when Sorensen wrestled Darius Vassell to the ground in first-half stoppage time, it was only fitting Barton should take the penalty.

But Barton, City's seven-goal leading scorer, blazed over from the spot as his side's home goal drought continued.

The second half was equally frustrating as City were still unable to find a route to goal.

Georgios Samaras headed narrowly wide and then Emile Mpenza burst through on goal only for Sorensen to make a brilliant block.

Villa rode their luck and sealed victory with a goal from Maloney, who had only been on the field for four minutes.

He took a free-kick from outside the penalty area, curling the ball over the defensive wall and low to the left of keeper Andreas Isaksson.

No sooner had the goal been scored then there was an exodus of disgruntled City fans, who could not bear to watch their side any longer.

And by the final whistle there were only a couple of thousand fans left and they vented their anger and frustration at manager Stuart Pearce following another wretched home display.