Five of the Villa players who started the match hope to go to the World Cup with England this summer, but the only Englishman who enhanced his chances of inclusion in Fabio Capello’s 23-man squad played in opposing colours. Patrick Vieira was City’s star man, the Frenchman offering a timely riposte to those who claimed he is past it by dominating the midfield, but the former Arsenal player was gushing in his praise of Adam Johnson.
Steve Tongue, The Independent
Once ahead, City were able to play Villa at their own game of counter- attack, denying them a single dangerous attempt in the second half and wrapping up the points just before full-time as Shaun Wright-Phillips' thrust down the left set up Craig Bellamy. In Johnson and Wright-Phillips (as well as the refusenik Wayne Bridge), City therefore had the more influential England candidates for Pearce to recommend than Villa's crop; the exception, as ever, being the industrious James Milner.
Chris Wheeler, Daily Mail
Victory over Villa was shaped by two players signed by Mancini in January. Although Patrick Vieira was well known to the former Inter Milan boss, it is fair to say that Adam Johnson was not.
Vieira has made a slow start after arriving with a calf injury, but was more like his old self on Saturday. Mancini would still not be drawn, however, on whether the midfielder's short-term deal will be extended.
Tim Rich, The Guardian
Fulop, who was once on Tottenham's books, will again be at the centre of things on Wednesday despite looking so kittenishly nervous in the first half that it seemed unlikely that, growing up in Budapest, he was ever referred to as "mukso" or "the cat". Nevertheless, Manchester City's defence, directed by Patrick Vieira in front of them, protected him admirably while Adam Johnson, whom Mancini brought to Eastlands with Vieira in the January transfer window, won the penalty and set up Emmanuel Adebayor seconds after Carew's shot had thundered against Fulop's crossbar.
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