It was only Villa's fourth win in 17 League games under Graham Taylor's control.
Taylor reckons Villa had been unlucky not to open their account against Spurs last Saturday but they made no mistake against a lack-lustre City side.
In a first half littered with mistakes City struggled to find the form they produced in beating Newcastle United.
Neither side hit any high notes in a goalless first period when Villa mounted most attacks but their finishing left a great deal to be desired.
Following two successive defeats Villa played with three strikers in an attempt to inject more life into their attack.
Villa's determination to make the running in their bid to find the back of the net for the first time this season was reflected in their 9-0 fouls tally against them in the opening half-hour.
City could not produce any positive attacking moves and their best chance fell to Nicolas Anelka but his cross-shot went wide of the far post.
But the miss of the match fell to Villa's young giant striker Peter Crouch just before half time.
With only Peter Schmeichel to beat he shot straight at the keeper.
Schmeichel distinguished himself early in the second half with a brilliant save from a Lee Hendrie shot.
But it was Hendrie who produced the free-kick from the right that was knocked back to Vassell to score with a hooked shot past Schmeichel.