Tevez keeps City's faint title hopes alive

Tevez struck on the stroke of half-time after Villa's Ciaran Clark gifted possession to Edin Dzeko in a dangerous area and the Bosnian set up his team-mate to beat goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

That was enough to move Roberto Mancini's side back within 12 points of leaders Manchester United, but City are still a long-shot to regain the Premier League crown they won so dramatically last season.

Villa remain in the relegation zone, with goal difference keeping Paul Lambert's struggling team below 17th placed Wigan in the battle for survival.