Villa reax

Paul Wilson, The Observer

Craig Bellamy's 89th-minute goal made sure of the points after Shaun Wright-Phillips had exploited tired Villa defending with a break from halfway. But it was City's other English winger who caught the eye. The home side were indebted to two first-half contributions from Adam Johnson on the right for overhauling an early Villa lead with two goals in three minutes, a position from which they never looked back.

Steve Tongue, Independent on Sunday

City's manager, Roberto Mancini, who should be able to dismiss all talk of losing his job if fourth place is secured, had words of praise for Patrick Vieira, who did the solid holding job he was bought for, and Adam Johnson, whose tricky wing-play led to both goals in an extraordinary two minutes just before half-time.

Duncan White, Sunday Telegraph

In a manner typical of City since Mancini joined, they tried for most of the second half to consolidate their lead, ceding vast amounts of possession to Villa.

Frustratingly for Martin O’Neill, his side struggled to create the clear chances they needed, despite the intelligent promptings of Milner. Ashley Young sent in a volley of crosses and corners but with a little luck and a little judgment, Fulop and his defence kept Villa at bay.

Duncan Castles, Sunday Times

What Mancini knew was that it was no longer viable to play for a draw — which, of course the Italian tells us, is something he would never consider. “If we win all the games starting today then we will finish fourth. It is simple mathematics,” he wrote in his programme notes.

What was not so simple was Mancini’s claim that City had improved since his December arrival. His restructured team concede fewer goals, but they also lose more frequently than the Mark Hughes model.