Martin O'Neill's team looked short on confidence at the end of a disappointing spell in which they have crashed out of the UEFA Cup and also been held at home in the league by lowly Stoke City.
By contrast, it was a far cheerier night for City manager Mark Hughes, whose side put more daylight between themselves and the teams at the foot of the table thanks to this victory which was achieved with goals from Elano and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
What made City's win even more commendable was that it was achieved without four strikers who were injured - Robinho, Craig Bellamy, Benjani and Daniel Sturridge.
But City's makeshift frontline caused problems for Villa - the team with the best away record in the Premier League and who had been seeking an eighth successive away league win.
City ought to have taken the lead midway through the opening half when Stephen Ireland's superb throughball released Wright-Phillips, who fired wide with only goalkeeper Brad Friedel to beat.
It was to prove only a temporary reprieve for Villa as City went ahead within two minutes.
Elano's pinpoint pass released Wright-Phillips who was scythed down in the penalty area by James Milner and Elano stepped forward to score from the spot.
It gave City a deserved lead as they were the far more enterprising and inventive side in the opening half when Villa laboured and were devoid of ideas.
Villa, who had failed to create a single clear-cut chance in the opening period, brought on striker John Carew at the restart, but the move failed to improve the fortunes of the visitors.
It took Villa more than 70 minutes to carve out their first opening when Gareth Barry's shot forced a decent save from City keeper Shay Given.
Ashley Young was then denied by a super stop from Given as Villa briefly threatened to get back on level terms.
City ought to have doubled their advantage when substitute Ched Evans chested the ball down to Elano whose drive was brilliantly turned round the post by Friedel.
But they sealed victory in the 89th minute when Wright-Phillips fired home with a low shot which followed a fine interchange of passes with Ireland.
Ireland came within a whisker of adding a third goal in stoppage time when his shot was superbly saved by the busy Friedel.