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VILLA fan Joleon Lescott put silverware before sentiment to send Manchester City two points clear at the top. The Birmingham-born centre-back, who once had a trial with the club he supports, became a hero and villain with his 63rd-minute winner. Lescott certainly forgot all about his former loyalties as he reeled away to celebrate a crucially-important goal which brought a vitally-important win. But it was also a goal that ensured more despair for his favourite team, who are now in the bottom six. To add insult to injury, it was a goal created by two ex-Villa stars � James Milner's corner to the far post headed back into the mixer by the impressive Gareth Barry for Lescott to finish. Both Milner and Barry have gone on to better things since leaving Brum. There is a first title triumph in 44 years just down the line for them. But Villa's slow demise just goes on and on. Fans protested against manager Alex McLeish before kick-off with one banner in the Holte End reading "Get the Feck out of Villa." It is harsh on Big Eck, who has inherited an average side and a dramatically trimmed budget. Nevertheless Villa should still have done better than wait until the 90th minute for their first real effort on goal. Darren Bent's shot on the turn was brilliantly saved by England keeper Joe Hart to ensure City's victory. And thank goodness for that. A last-gasp equaliser would have been far more than Villa deserved and a terrible injustice for City. They bossed the show from beginning to end without ever finding the fire, form or finesse of their exploits earlier in the season. However, this time next week they will have some big guns back on parade. Brothers Yaya and Kolo Toure will return from the African Nations Cup, enigmatic striker Mario Balotelli will have finished his suspension and maybe even outcast Carlos Tevez could be in the fold. If he says sorry and shake hands that is � which is, of course, the current vogue. And boss Roberto Mancini believes the fresh impetus the missing quartet can bring will be enough to see them over the finishing line first. He reckons 11 wins will do it from City's final 13 matches � one of which is against neighbours United. April 28 is the big day which may ultimately decide whether the ribbons on the Premier League trophy are United red or City blue. To be fair, there was more drama and incident at Old Trafford this weekend as United overcame Liverpool. To be honest, there was more drama and incident before kick-off at Old Trafford than there was in the first hour of this game. A Richard Dunne header was the best Villa could offer as City dominated. But the visitors could not turn their superiority into goals. Ex-City keeper Shay Given saved from Barry, Adam Johnson hit the foot of the post and Alan Hutton cleared from in front of his own goal-line from David Silva. But Sergio Aguero was way off target with two wild shots that were more of a danger to fans in the Holte End than the Villa goal. And the same could be said of an Aleksandar Kolarov free-kick that sailed high over the bar. After the break, City were focused, though. Given needed good hands to thwart Pablo Zabaleta. But there was nothing he could do to keep out Lescott just six minutes later as the deadlock was finally broken. It might have opened the floodgates. Johnson teed up Silva but Given was equal to the Spaniard's effort and there were loud appeals for a penalty when Kolarov's cross struck Hutton on the hand. Referee Michael Oliver, shaking his head, ruled that ball went to hand not the other way round. And he was right. Which left the result in doubt going into the final minutes. Another Dunne header was again comfortable enough for Hart to cope with but at least Villa were at last trying to get up a head of steam. Then, with nine minutes to go, the impressive Carlos Cuellar rose highest in the area and for a moment Villa Park held its breath. But his powerful header scorched over the bar and it looked as if Villa's best chance had come and gone. It hadn't. Right on the whistle there was one more great opportunity � the ball fell to Bent, time froze as he turned seemingly in slow motion and let fly from point-blank range. And then Hart reacted in fast forward to save the day, win the match and put City right back on track for glory. DREAM TEAM SUN STAR MAN � JOLEON LESCOTT (MAN CITY) ASTON VILLA: Given 7, Hutton 6, Dunne 7 (Baker 1), Collins 7, Cuellar 8, Petrov 6, Albrighton 5 (Ireland 3), Gardner 6, Keane 5, Bent 4, Heskey 5 (N'Zogbia 3). Subs not used: Guzan, Warnock, Bannan, Weimann. Booked: Petrov, Dunne, N'Zogbia. MAN CITY: Hart 7, Zabaleta 6, Kompany 6, Lescott 8, Kolarov 7, Barry 8, De Jong 5, Milner 6, Silva 7 (Richards 1), Johnson 4 (Nasri 3), Aguero 7 (Dzeko 1). Subs not used: Pantilimon, Pizarro, Savic, Clichy. REF: M Oliver 8