Elano strike sets up City win

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The Brazilian's first-half penalty - the first time he has scored in the Premier League since August - would probably have been enough anyway but man-of-the-match Wright-Phillips made certain of the points two minutes from time.

With Robinho and Craig Bellamy both missing through injury, Hughes was able to offer Elano the kind of free role behind a lone frontman - in this case Felipe Caicedo - that he craves.

Early in the game Wright-Phillips broke dangerously and having been caught the wrong side of his man, James Milner attempted the tackle and succeeded only in tripping his opponent.

Brad Friedel almost made amends with a flying dive to his right. Unfortunately for Villa, Elano's spot-kick was just too good.

Hughes was convinced City should have had a second spot-kick when Caicedo went down under Carlos Cuellar's challenge but referee Chris Foy did not quite see it the same way.

After seizing the initiative without managing to put Shay Given under any pressure, Gabriel Agbonlahor finally created a chance for Villa with a superb pass to Gareth Barry, whose first-time volley would have crept in if Given had not got down by his post to bundle it away.

Ched Evans' magnificent first touch was a chested lay-off to Wayne Bridge's shot which Elano struck sweetly, only for Brad Friedel to make a superb save.

On this evidence, it was perfectly simple to work out why Sven-Goran Eriksson paid #8million for Elano - and why Hughes felt he needed to splash out slightly less to get Given from Newcastle.

The Republic of Ireland international produced another blinding stop to deny Young. Wright-Phillips then capitalised on Ireland's pass at the end to seal the win for City.