Man City return to top of English Premier League with win at Villa February 12, 2012 -- Updated 1915 GMT (0315 HKT) Joleon Lescott celebrates his winning goal in Manchester City's 1-0 victory at Aston Villa. Manchester City return to top of the English Premier League 1-0 win over Aston Villa leaves them two points clear of Man Utd West Bromwich Albion beat Wolves 5-1 in derby match Inter Milan slump to 1-0 defeat to Novara in Serie A (CNN) -- Manchester City regained top spot in the English Premier League with a 1-0 win at Aston Villa Sunday. Joleon Lescott's goal early in the second half sealed the three points which took them two points clear of city rivals Manchester United in the title race. United had briefly hit the summit after a 2-1 win over Liverpool Saturday, but City showed their mettle with a hard-fought win at Villa Park. They dominated possession and might have gone ahead in the first half as England winger Adam Johnson hit the post with a long range effort. Defender Lescott took his chance from close range after Gareth Barry headed David Silva's corner across goal. Villa, who have slipped to 15th after five defeats in seven home games, staged a late rally and Carlos Cuellar might have scored with a free header. England goalkeeper Joe Hart also made a superb save to deny fellow international Darren Bent from close range as Villa pressed to salvage a point. This was a difficult game. We knew it would be, but the guys played fantastic Roberto Mancini We knew it would be, but the guys played fantastic," City manager Roberto Mancini told Sky Sports. In the first half we played fantastic football, missing only a goal. Villa defended very well in the second half but we got the goal. Joleon played a fantastic game. Earlier Sunday, West Bromwich Albion thrashed Wolves 5-1 in the 'Black Country' derby at Molineux with Peter Odemwingie scoring a hat-trick. The defeat leaves Wolves deep in relegation trouble and their manager Mick McCarthy later apologized to his club's fans. It's an understatement to say it's been a disappointing afternoon. It's been a terrible afternoon. It was an awful performance. I don't often do it, but I apologize for that. Odemwingie, who has been struggling for form and goals after signing a new I contract, was scoring his first hat-trick in the EPL. In Italy's Serie A, Inter Milan's poor recent run continued with a 1-0 defeat to bottom club Novara Sunday. The Milan giants have now gone five games without a win after Andrea Caracciolo scored the only goal for the strugglers. It was Inter's four defeat in those five games, including an Italian Cup defeat to Napoli. It left Claudio Ranieri's men six points off the final Champions League qualification place and 11 behind leaders and city rivals AC Milan who top the standings.