We rate the players in the Monday night game between Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Aston Villa

Brad Friedel - 7.5

Made a crucial save in the first half to keep Villa in the lead. His age is catching up but he enthusiasm is clear for all to see.

Richard Dunne - 9

The stars aligned as Dunne rose majestically above Barry to score Villa's first goal. Unwanted castaway vs City newbie. Cruel. Very cruel!

Carlos Cuellar - 6

Rock-solid alongside Dunne. Adebayor never quite got near enough to Friedel's goal to make an impact.

Stephen Warnock - 7

His overlapping runs were threatening but as the game wore on, he allowed SWP too much space to wreck havoc.

James Collins - 6

Handled SWP well and never gave Tevez and Adebayor the chance to drift out wide to trouble his teammates.

Steven Sidwell - 6.5

The former Reading man never quite got started at Chelsea but has been putting in a couple of solid displays this season.

Stilliyan Petrov - 7

Has matured into a great captain for Villa. Constantly spraying the passes to his wingers while also dictating the pace of the game down the middle.

James Milner - 8

Milner never stopped running. He was defending and attacking as if his life depended on it. The sort of utility player Capello loves to have on the bench.

Ashley Young - 6.5

The speedy winger was a menace in the opening minutes but faded off with what seemingly looked like a bad ankle injury.

Gabriel Agbonlahor - 9

With Fabio Capello watching from the stands, Gabby tormented the City defenders throughout the 90 minutes. The England manager was have been impressed with what he saw.

John Carew - 7.5

The gigantic striker ensured that Toure and Lescott were kept busy the whole night.

Substitutes

Emile Heskey - 5

Not enough time to make an impact

Nigel Reo-Coker - 5

O'Neill gave him a pat on the back as he came on. The pair seem to have gotten over their training ground bust-up.

Manchester City

Shay Given - 8

Showed why he is still considered one of the top three goalkeepers in the English top flight.

Wayne Bridge - 5

Ashley Cole could probably stop playing for the rest of the season and still edge Bridge for England's left-back starting berth. Gone are the days when Bridge was touted as a future England star.

Pablo Zabaleta - 6

Along with Bridge, both full-backs need to surge forward more if City have any intentions of a Champions League spot this season.

Joleon Lescott - 7

Quiet and solid but since his move from Everton, Lescott seems to have lost some of that goalscoring ability he used to possess at Goodison Park.

Kolo Toure - 7

The voice of City, Toure was given a tough outing by the presence of Carew. Nevertheless, did what was needed of him well enough.

Nigel de Jong - 5

De Jong is a defensive midfielder. His style of play does not compliment Barry. Makes Hughes' side too rigid.

Shaun Wright-Phillips - 4

If Tottenham's Aaron Lennon is having a stellar season so far, SWP seems to be going the other way. Another game whereby he failed to put his pace to good use.

Gareth Barry - 5

Showed his range of passing well but was the culprit when Dunne rose above him to nod in Villa's opening goal.

Craig Bellamy - 9

Bellamy has been the outstanding player for City in the last fortnight. Clinical finish to level the game for City.

Carlos Tevez - 5

Hardworking as he is, Tevez probably had his mind on Argentina more than this game itself. Seemed to have left his shooting boots back home.

Emmanuel Adebayor - 5

Set Bellamy up for the equaliser but was strangely subdued after his spell out through suspension.

Substitutes

Stephen Ireland - 5

Ireland was dynamite last season but this time round, he seems to have lost that sparkle in his eyes.

Roque Santa Cruz - 5

Will Santa Cruz be given a chance to start a game with Adebayor and Tevez the preferred strike-force for Hughes?