Shaun Goater was the supply route for one goal and could have scored another as Manchester City turned heroes against the Villans yesterday.

After going down 3-2 to Spurs in Monday's clash at Maine Road, City got back to winning ways at the same venue in yesterday's clash with Aston Villa.

City won the match 3-1 against a Villa side still to win away from home all season - the victory moving Kevin Keegan's men up to 11th in the Premiership, just two points adrift of Middlesbrough in seventh.

City took the lead in the 15th minute, Marc Vivien-Foe continuing his rich vein of form thanks in no small part to Bermudian Goater.

Nicolas Anelka accepted a long punt upfield goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, then took two touches and laid the ball off to his strike partner.

Goater then put the ball on a plate for Foe who beat Villa's custodian Peter Enckleman with a decisive shot.

They should have been 2-0 up shortly afterwards.

Olof Mellberg trod on the ball as he tried to bring it out of his own area and Goater pounced. However, instead of taking his chance with a shot he unselfishly opted to pull the ball back but his centre evaded Anelka.

Redoubling their efforts City continued to take the game to Villa and Goater must have wondered how he did not add to the lead when he fired at Enckleman only to see the 'keeper pull off a stunning one-handed save.

Villa made City pay for the miss when one of their rare forays into their opponent's half reaped the ultimate reward - veteran striker Dion Dublin threading a close range shot through a crowded box and past Schmeichel to level the scores.

Keegan then brought Ali Bernabia on for City and it was a decision that turned the game.

With Goater having made way for Darren Huckerby four minutes earlier, Anelka picked the ball up on the right in the 78th minute and drilled in a low cross from the byline which Bernabia stooped to head into the back of the net.

Bernabia then turned provider two minutes later when he left the Villa defence flat-footed with a delightful chip into the path of Foe who gave his side an unassailable 3-1 lead.

Goater and City can now look forward to Saturday's clash at London club Fulham as they attempt to make further inroads into the top half of the table.

Goater's compatriot Kyle Lightbourne did not fare so well yesterday, his Macclesfield side going down 1-0 at home to Lincoln City in the Third Division.

In the first half Lightbourne won a corner for the Silkmen and from the dead ball saw his header well saved by the 'keeper.

In the second period the Bermudian put in a good cross for David Eaton but the player spurned the chance.

Peter Gain then put the visitors a goal up in the 83rd minute, but Lightbourne almost had a chance to level matters at the death. But it was not to be, though, as some last ditch defending kept the ball from reaching the striker.

The loss means Macclesfield are now 19th in the 24 team table with 22 points, just two clear of the relegation zone.