Bent struck the only goal on a dream debut as Villa grabbed a
vital victory that eases the pressure at the bottom of the
table.
Hitman Bent slotted home from close range on 18 minutes after
Joe Hart could only parry Ashley Young's curler straight into his
path.
Bent said: "It was a difficult game, they always say the first
goal is the most important and we got it early. "It's been a hard
week but I'm going to enjoy it tonight."
Villa boss Gerard Houllier added: "I am pleased for Darren
because it's his first goal for us and his first game.
"The finish was that of a natural-born finisher, something you
cannot teach somebody.
"That is what he is here for, to score goals. "Roberto Mancini
told me before the game that I'd signed a great player and that is
a tremendous start for him.
"I thought the boy handled the pressure very well. He had
settled in well during the week, knows a lot of players from the
international scene, and I felt he was ready to play."
Defeat for City left them three points behind neighbours
Manchester United at the top, who have two games in hand. And
assistant boss Brian Kidd admitted only United themselves can throw
away their strong position.
He said: "United are going very well. They are undefeated. I
always thought it was United's title to lose many weeks ago. "But
this is only a blip. It is already history and we will put it
behind us. "We didn't show enough urgency in the first half but in
the second period it was a different story.
"We put Villa under severe pressure and full credit to them for
a great defensive performance. "Our aim at the beginning of this
season was to get in the top four. "We lost at Everton and
responded very well and I'm sure we will respond in the right
fashion in the coming games."
City looked the more threatening early on although Kolo Toure
could not keep down his volley from the edge of the box. But after
18 minutes Villa Park erupted when Bent scored with his first
chance for his new club.
Gabby Agbonlahor found Young in space down the inside left
channel and his curling effort was parried aside by Hart. But Bent
was first to react to the rebound and slotted it underneath the
keeper.
City retaliated and Brad Friedel produced a fine save to tip
Vincent Kompany's header over the bar from an Aleksandar Kolarov
corner.
Former Villa star Gareth Barry went close to bringing City level
after 37 minutes when his glancing header slid past the far post
from Jerome Boateng's threatening ball into the box.
Hart then made back-to-back saves to keep out long-distance
shots from Young and Stewart Downing. City continued to press and
James Collins blocked a shot from Edin Dzeko after he had cut
inside following good play by David Silva.
Dzeko got on the end of a corner from Kolarov but could not keep
his header down. Roberto Mancini made his first change after 57
minutes with Adam Johnson replacing Barry who was jeered by the
home fans as he left the pitch.
Collins again did well to block a drive from Carlos Tevez. But
Friedel knew little about keeping out a powerful low drive from
Boateng which bounced off him away to safety.
Dzeko looped a header past the post and the pressure increased
from the visitors. Hart was called into action to turn a dipping
drive from Young for a corner.
Kolarov had a 20-yard attempt deflected wide, before Carlos
Cuellar threw his body in front of a drive from Dzeko to typify
Villa's fighting spirit.
Downing cut in from the right but his rising effort did not
extend Hart, then Collins produced another superb block to keep out
Tevez's volley.
Villa got a huge let-off on 84 minutes when Nigel de Jong's
25-yarder was diverted on to a post by a grounded Ciaran Clark.
Then Dzeko headed wide from close range when it seemed easier to
score.
Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Collins, Dunne,
Clark, Albrighton, Petrov (Reo-Coker 88), Downing, Agbonlahor,
Ashley Young, Bent. Subs not used: Marshall,
Pires, Delfouneso, Bannan, Herd, Baker. Booked:
Clark. Goals: Bent 18.
Man City: Hart, Boateng, Toure, Kompany,
Kolarov, De Jong, Barry (Adam Johnson 57), Silva, Toure Yaya,
Tevez, Dzeko. Subs not used: Given, Zabaleta,
Milner, Lescott, Vieira, Jo. Booked: Kolarov.
Att: 37,315
Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).
