Football: Baxter is delighted to secure Blues deal.

ASTON VILLA'S charge to the Champions League was starting to grind to a halt after Elano and Shaun Wright-Phillips combined to give inconsistent Manchester City victory at Eastlands.

The Brazilian's first-half penalty - the first time he has scored in the Premier League since August - would probably have been enough anyway but man-of-the-match Wright-Phillips made certain of the points two minutes from time.

It means Villa have now gone six games without a win, with fourth place looking anything but certain.

EVERTON have signed teenager Jose Baxter, one of their brightest young prospects, on a new two-and-a-half year contract.

Bootle-born Baxter has already made four senior appearances for the club - three this season - and is rated highly by manager David Moyes.

Earlier this campaign he became the youngest player ever to start a senior game for Everton and has now graduated from the academy.

He is the second of Everton's local prospects to be rewarded with a senior contract in the past fortnight after Jack Rodwell signed a new deal in February.

Midfielder Baxter only turned 17 last month, and became the youngest Toffees senior player when he played against West Brom in August.

Baxter said: "I'm feeling great. It is a dream come true to sign a contract for Everton.

"To be offered a contract was a great feeling but actually signing it was something else. I have to keep working hard now and make sure I earn another one in the future."

Baxter has been with the club since he was six. He is a regular in the reserves and was on the bench against Aston Villa and Bolton recently.

He also skippered the England Under-17 side in the Algarve Tournament last month.

CAPTION(S):

Ace Jose Baxter