Fernandinho scored an 88th-minute winner to rescue Manchester City a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa, who had come from two goals down at the Etihad Stadium.
Aleksander Kolarov added to Sergio Aguero's Brad Guzan-assisted opener to put the hosts into a two-goal lead which was immediately halved by Tom Cleverley.
© Getty Images
A second error from Joe Hart allowed Carlos Sanchez to equalise for Villa on 85 minutes, but Fernandinho replied to deny them a point which would have eased the relegation worries that had increased following Saturday afternoon's results.
Guzan's howler gifted the Citizens a third-minute lead. The goalkeeper was trying to find Jores Okore across his own box when his scuffed pass fell to Aguero to tap home from 10 yards for his division-high 21st goal of the season.
The self-destructing visitors twice nearly gifted City a second as Fernando headed over from a free kick which Guzan had flapped at and Aguero failed to make the most of a stray back-pass from Leandro Bacuna.
© Getty Images
Villa, who are now only two points above the drop zone, improved after the half-hour mark and would have been level had Hart not blocked from Christian Benteke, after the in-form striker broke the offside trap.
Belief grew within Tim Sherwood's side while their deficit was only at one and Fabian Delph, whose goal against Liverpool last weekend put them in the FA Cup final, shot narrowly wide from Jack Grealish's layoff.
City soon had their two-goal cushion, though. Kieran Richardson left a hole in the wall which dead-ball specialist Kolarov found with a low left-footed shot that skidded off the turf and beat Guzan on 65 minutes.
A quick reply gave Villa renewed hope and this time it was the visitors who were thankful for a goalkeeping mistake. Hart was left stranded after coming to collect a set piece and Cleverley struck into the empty net for his first Villa goal after a series of deflections.
© Getty Images
Hart made amends with a smart block from substitute Charles N'Zogbia at his near post, but then punched weakly at a corner which was eventually put into the net by Sanchez's volley - also his first Villa goal.
However, under-pressure manager Manuel Pellegrini was saved another embarrassing result when Fernandinho, who was a half-time substitute for Yaya Toure, controlled and poked home from one of City's own corners.
Villa were left wondering what might have been following an eighth straight defeat at Eastlands, with Benteke having been brought down inside the box by Hart with the scores at 2-2, only for the offside flag to be incorrectly raised.
The champions survived that incident to leapfrog Manchester United and Arsenal in the table, but are still nine points behind Chelsea, who will secure the title with two victories this week.
Joe Fish
