Bent scored the only goal of the game to give Villa a 1-0 win over Manchester City, lifting the home side clear of the relegation zone.

Houllier said: "The finish was that of a natural-born finisher, something you cannot teach somebody. That is what he is here for, to score goals.

"(City manager) Roberto Mancini told me before the game that I'd signed a great player and that is a tremendous start for him."

City's defeat saw them slip to third in the table, Arsenal moving into second courtesy of a 3-0 win over Wigan.

Robin van Persie scored a hat-trick, despite missing a penalty, as Arsene Wenger's side enjoyed a comprehensive win.

"It was a good team performance overall," Wenger said. "The players were a bit frustrated at half-time as they did not take their chances, but during that first half we played outstanding football."

Arsenal are two points behind leaders Manchester United, who had their own hat-trick hero in Dimitar Berbatov.

Berbatov scored the opener against Birmingham after just 95 seconds, with Ryan Giggs and Nani also on target in a 5-0 rout.

And all United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants now are some goals from the far less prolific Wayne Rooney.

"We hope the goals are going to come for Wayne," Ferguson said. "He is working his socks off.

"He produced some great football and his control from Edwin van der Sar's kick for the fourth goal was fantastic."

Newcastle conceded an injury-time equaliser for the second game in a row as Tottenham snatched a point at St James' Park.

Aaron Lennon scored at the death to cancel out Fabricio Coloccini's stunning 59th-minute opener, but Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was more concerned about the recurring back injury which forced Gareth Bale off after just 11 minutes.

Redknapp said: "It's been dragging on for a few weeks now so hopefully we can get it sorted out quickly.

"You don't know with back injuries, do you? It's a shame. We need him playing for sure."

Sunderland are just a point behind Spurs in sixth after beginning life without Bent with a 2-1 win at Blackpool.

Kieran Richardson scored both goals for the visitors, with the in-demand Charlie Adam pulling a goal back near the end from the penalty spot.

Blackpool have turned down bids from Liverpool, Aston Villa and Birmingham for Adam and manager Ian Holloway is in no mood to sell his star midfielder.

"Maybe I am the only one who can see what his value might be," Holloway said. "It is all right admiring something. I like my neighbour's car but if I don't pay the right amount of money for it I ain't going to get it.

"They had better start by putting a figure one in front of the complete rubbish they have been offering so far."

Liverpool are up to 10th in the table after a first win under Kenny Dalglish, Fernando Torres scoring twice in a 3-0 at Wolves which leaves the home side off the bottom of the table on goal difference only.

West Ham looked set to get themselves off the bottom when they led 2-1 at Everton through Frederic Piquionne's goal six minutes from time, but Piquionne was then sent off for celebrating with the away fans and Marouane Fellaini equalised in injury-time.

In the day's other game, Fulham beat Stoke 2-0 with a brace from Clint Dempsey.