Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has stated that he was happy with the amount of patience his side showed in recording a hard-fought 1-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday.

Despite create a lot of chances in the first half the visitors could not break the deadlock, but Joleon Lescott popped up with the winning goal on the hour mark for Mancini's men.

The Italian coach hails his team's efforts in what he felt was a difficult fixture.

"This evening it was a difficult game. We knew this before the game and I think the guys played fantastic football," he told Sky Sports in the aftermath of the victory.

"It is normal [to be patient] because we had a lot of chances to score first half, second half and it was a difficult game as all teams defend very well and we had to be patient.

I think Joleon played a fantastic game, but not only Joleon or Gareth Barry; I think first half we played fantastic football and we were missing only a goal.

"Second half we scored one goal, but we have other chances and all the players played very well," he praised.

Joe Hart kept the visitors in contention with an excellent display, and Mancini feels the England stopper can become one of the world's best.

" I don't think he is ne of the best in the world because he is young and there are other keepers with more experience.

"I think he is one of the best, but he needs to improve because he is young. He has many years in front [of him], but he could become one of the top keepers," the tactician concluded.

The win puts City back on top spot, two points clear of cross-town rivals Manchester United.

By Gareth McKnight

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