LONDON, Sept 16: Manchester City’s revival under Sven Goran Eriksson continued when they moved up to second spot in the Premier League thanks to Michael Johnson’s second half goal that was enough to secure an unconvincing victory over Aston Villa on Sunday.

City moved to within one point of leaders Arsenal as Johnson once again proved that despite Eriksson’s 40 million pound summer spending spree, the Swede’s most valuable assets could yet prove to be the youngsters he has inherited from the club’s academy system.

The emergence of England defender Micah Richards was recognised when the teenager was presented with the Premiership Player of the Month award before kick-off.

But while Richards was once again a tower of strength in the back-four, it was England Under-21 midfielder Johnson, also 19, who ultimately split the two sides with the game’s only moment of true quality.

Johnson’s powerful run and finish was enough to see off a poor Villa side but Eriksson knows his side will have to improve if they are to maintain lofty status.

Johnson offered a taste of things to come when the midfielder’s determination forced Villa centre-back Martin Laursen into a hurried clearance that was charged down into the path of Elano.

The Brazilian play-maker played the ball back into the path of Johnson who should have done better than fire a close range shot straight at visiting keeper Scott Carson.

A Darius Vasell header flashed wide but that was the sum total of City’s first half threat while Villa’s attacking play was similarly ineffective.

Kasper Schmeichel’s worrying uncertainty at crosses ensured the visitors were always offered hope at set-pieces but strikers John Carew and Luke Moore proved unable to capitalise on the City keeper’s glaring weakness.

Johnson claimed his first senior league goal earlier this season after exchanging passes with Elano and the pair demonstrated they have a growing understanding by linking well for decisive 49th minute goal.

On Saturday, Arsenal continued their domination over north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, winning 3-1 to move top of the Premier League.

Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor scored twice for the slick Gunners either side of a stunning effort from Cesc Fabregas after a Gareth Bale strike had raised Tottenham hopes of a first victory over their arch-rivals since 1999.

Liverpool slipped to second after drawing 0-0 at Portsmouth and Chelsea, who could have joined Arsenal on 13 points, were also frustrated in a goalless home draw with Blackburn Rovers.

Manchester United moved into the top four for the first time this season with a scrappy 1-0 victory at Everton.

West Ham United rose to fifth with a 3-0 home victory over Middlesbrough, Sunderland ended a run of three league defeats with a 2-1 win over Reading and Bolton Wanderers lost for the fifth time in six league matches, 1-0 at Birmingham City.

England striker Emile Heskey limped off with a suspected broken bone in his foot during Wigan Athletic’s 1-1 draw with visitors Fulham.

Tottenham manager Martin Jol has been under scrutiny after a poor start to the season but things were looking better for the Dutchman when Bale’s free kick after 14 minutes beat Spanish keeper Manuel Almunia at the near post.

Arsenal wasted several chances as did Dimitar Berbatov for Spurs before Adebayor made it 1-1, heading in a Cesc Fabregas free kick after 65 minutes.

Fabregas later left Tottenham’s midfield trailing in his wake before smashing a shot past England goalkeeper Paul Robinson from 25 metres.

Substitute Darren Bent made a hash of a chance to equalise for Spurs before Adebayor sealed the victory deep in stoppage time with a superb volley that Thierry Henry, now with Barcelona, would have been proud of.

United claimed their third consecutive 1-0 victory when Nemanja Vidic met Nani’s corner seven minutes from the end of a forgettable match at Goodison Park.

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