BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Carlos Tevez ensured Manchester City’s flickering Premier League title defence stayed alive another week by scoring in a 1-0 win at relegation-threatened Aston Villa yesterday.

Man City substitute Edin Dzeko dispossessed centre back Ciaran Clark in a contentious challenge in first-half stoppage time, dribbled toward the box before finding Tevez, who dummied goalkeeper Brad Guzan and defender Nathan Baker before slotting the ball into the net at Villa Park.

Clark complained he had been fouled by Dzeko, but referee Mike Riley ignored the protests to award the goal.

“I don’t think it was a foul,” Villa manager Paul Lambert said. “I know what Ciaran was trying to do. You don’t take a chance like that — you can’t make that mistake. “He’s a young lad and he will come back stronger. He’s been great over the season, at a really high standard, and he will learn.”

City stayed 12 points behind leader Manchester United in second place with 10 rounds left. Roberto Mancini’s team is also five points clear of third-place Tottenham.