Johnson strike sinks Villa

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Teenage midfielder Michael Johnson was the matchwinner with a well-taken goal in the 48th minute, just as he had been in the single-goal victory over Derby.

Villa fought hard in a frenetic match but were unable to create one real clear chance as City climbed up to second in the early Premier League standings.

The visitors threatened first after six minutes when John Carew got away from Javier Garrido down the right and cut inside, but his shot was blocked by Vedran Corluka.

The Croat went close for City three minutes later when he was allowed to advance deep into Villa territory unchallenged and his powerful right-foot shot flew wide.

Johnson should have scored for City two minutes later when he charged down a Martin Laursen clearance and was released into the box by Elano, but Scott Carson came out well to to parry his shot, which he took on his favoured right foot when the left looked a better option.

City did take the lead in the 48th minute. Johnson and Elano exchanged passes in central midfield before the 19-year-old jinked past Martin Laursen, burst into the box and fired a low right-foot shot past Carson and into the corner for his second of the season.

Gabriel Agbonlahor then headed wide Ashley Young's cross to the far post from the left as the hour mark passed.

Luke Moore had a goal disallowed for pushing with 17 minutes to go as the luck again favoured City.

Johnson could have added a second after another break from deep but Craig Gardner blocked his shot, but in the end his early second-half strike proved enough. Substitute Rolando Bianchi almost added a breakaway second but his effort was cleared off the line.