Villa player ratings

Fulop 6.
Looked pretty shaky in the first half, but was a much needed presence on crosses in the second. Hopefully the nerves are out of his system for Wednesday.

Zabaleta 8.
The best I've seen Zabaleta play for a while. No one got past him on the right-hand side. You can never doubt his commitment.

Toure 7.
Despite being at fault for the goal, continued his renaissance. Intelligent defending was his strength.

Kompany 8.
Carew has always caused us problems, but Kompany dealt with him really well. Another excellent performance - always first to the ball, read the game well, and combined with Toure to render Agbonlahor ineffective.

Bridge 5.
Didn't look very comfortable with Ashley Young running at him and rarely stopped his advances. Does look forward when he has the ball and offers some support to Bellamy, but remains a question defensively.

De Jong 7.
Another excellent battling display from de Jong. Didn't always use the ball very well, but I suppose that isn't his game.

Vieira 8.
His best performance for City by a distance. I go into it in more detail in my match report. His passing ability makes a vital difference to our play.

Johnson 7.
Took forty minutes to burst into life, but once he did he was very dangerous. Created two goals and warmed to his battle with Warnock. A good performance before his withdrawal.

Bellamy 7.
A goal that released all the possible nerves in the stadium added to a good positive display. Won countless corners with his running and always looked a threat.

Tevez 8.
Scurried around in a deeper position trying to affect play. Didn't always get his head up but was as influential as ever. A bit lucky with the penalty, but struck it hard enough to beat Friedel.

Adebayor 8.
A transformed player since the disaster in Cabinda. Chases every ball, challenges every header, and a constant problem for the Villa defence.


Substitutes:

Wright-Phillips (on for Johnson, 77mins) 7.
Made his claim with a breath-taking run to set up Bellamy's goal, that was Shauny at his best.

Richards (on for Tevez, 88mins) N/A.
Only had a couple of minutes, but was solid when called upon.


My man of the match: Patrick Vieira.