City go in search of a third through Ireland, who was superb in the first half, as he fires goalwards from the edge of the box but Friedel makes a save.

Villa have upped the tempo again in the last few minutes and Agbonlahor blitzes past Bridge but Dunne gets back to steal the ball away from Carew who was waiting to strike.

Almost superb from Young as he beats two down the left flank but his cross, rarely for him, is too high and a good opening is wasted again.

Ched Evans is the latest to try his luck for City as he collects Ireland's through ball and hits it early but he can't quite direct it on target.

Villa have been so much better since the break but City are still looking dangerous themselves on the counter-attack. This could still go either way!

Close again for Villa! Young darts into the box to force Given into a save but Barry lobs it back into the danger zone where Petrov hsa his shot cleared off the line by Bridge.

Immediate impact! Evans first touch is with his chest as he plays the ball into Elano's path and the Brazilian hits a thunderbolt that it only denied by a world class stop from Friedel.

How did they not equalise? Young delivers a devilish cross that both Agbonlahor and Heskey are just inches away from diverting past Given - but it bounces a shade wide instead.

Super save! Villa finally get a shot on target as Agbonlahor dinks a clever cross towards the penalty spot where Barry arrives to hit goalwards but Given reacts to tip wide.

Great chance! City spark themselves back into life as Bridge breaks down the left flank to fire a cross in for Caicedo who slides it wide - it should be 2-0!

Almost a bolt from the blue as Elano plays a delightful one-two with Wright-Phillips but Barry gets himself back in time to nick the ball off the Brazilian's toes.

Elano has drifted back into a central midfield role in this half but he is being crowded out much quicker and he is struggling to impose anything like the same amount of control on proceedings.

We have a game on our hands now! Villa are starting to get Young in the game a little more and City cannot get themselves out of their own half.

So close! Petrov and Milner link up on the right and the England Under-21 winger guides it towards Young at the far post but a superb tackle from Onuoha prevents him levelling the scores.

That's more like it from the visitors as Petrov and Carew combine for the Bulgarian to shoot at goal but its high and wide - suddenly City are on the back foot a little.

Villa finally threaten to create a chance for themselves as Barry's free-kick is nodded down by Cuellar but noone is there to finish and Given can collect.

Elano with a sublime piece of skill to evade Barry and Petrov, but sadly for the Brazilian his pass is just too firm for Ireland.

Villa seem to have adopted a 4-2-4 formation with Milner as an emergency right-back - clearly they are going for this then.

There will be two minutes of added time.

More worries for Villa now as Ashley Young requires treatment from the physio and that is the last thing they need at the moment.

Another superb piece of play from City's danger men as Elano, Ireland and Wright-Phillips combine for the latter to sting the palms of Friedel from range.

Caicedo has spent a few minutes on the field and the touchline receiving treatment for a back problem - but he rejoins us now.

Another great block! Wright-Phillips is causing no end of trouble tonight and he finds Caicedo in the box but Cuellar comes across to divert it away at the vital moment.

Martin O'Neill is desperately trying to get his side going with frantic hand-motions on the touchline but, as yet, its not working.

Wright-Phillips thinks he is through again, only to be halted by the offside flag - but replays suggest he was onside.

Mark Hughes looks delighted on the touchline as his side have dominated proceedings and grabbed the all important goal while they are on top. Villa need to get into gear.

Penalty! City look set to get their reward as Milner brings down Wright-Phillips in the box - no complaints from the Villa man.

What a miss! Wright-Phillips escapes Luke Young and is clean through on goal but somehow he manages to slide it wide of goal.

That last comment was actually a little unfair because the Villains back four are throwing their bodies in the way of everything.

Villa have simply not turned up yet as City take complete control of proceedings - the goal is around the corner for the Citizens.

The hosts build another promising attack and Kompany unleashes a piledriver from range that whistles just past Friedel's post.

City have definitely settled the better of the two sides as Villa struggle to get Milner and Ashley Young into the game at all.

Wonderful, incisive play from City with Elano feeding Ireland through the defence but Davies somehow gets in the way. it was a great chance, and Ireland's touch let him down.

The pattern of play already looks to have been established with Villa soaking up pressure before looking to try and hit City on the break.

Shaun Wright-Phillips gives a glimpse of his ability with a mazy run through three Villa defenders but his shot is horrendous and almost hits the corner flag.

Villa almost force their first opening as Milner hooks into the channel for Agbonlahor but Onuoha is quick enought to force him wide.

Bright play from City as Caicedo tries to feed Wright-Phillips but Zat Knight is across superbly to cover the pass and divert it away from danger.

The stadium is slowly filling up as the latecomers take their seats but it is by no means a sell-out at Eastlands.