[AMERICANS ABROAD] Two days after containing Tottenham's Gareth Bale, American Eric Lichaj faced Manchester City's Mario Balotelli, another of the English Premier League great young stars, and it was another story altogether.

Lichaj's penalty led to Balotelli's first goal and was at fault on the Italian's second of three goals as Manchester City cruised to a 4-0 win over struggling Aston Villa.

Lichaj, who started his third straight game at at right back, took Balotelli down for the first goal in the 8th minute and failed to clear a rebound of David Silva's shot that goalie Brad Friedel parried 20 minutes later, allowing Balotelli to score his second goal and City's third goal.

To add to Lichaj's misery, he was booked in the second half.

The loss left Villa in 15th place, only one point outside the relegation zone, and tied for the worst defense in the EPL (34 goals allowed).

Americans Abroad:
English Premier League
Tuesday:
West Ham 1 Everton 1
LB Jonathan Spector-West Ham (sub: 56 minutes)
G Tim Howard-Everton (90 minutes)

Man. City 4 Aston Villa 0
G Brad Friedel-Aston Villa (90 minutes)
RB Eric Lichaj-Aston Villa (90 minutes)

Stoke City 0 Fulham 2
F Clint Dempsey-Fulham (90 minutes)

Sunday:
Aston Villa 1 Tottenham 2
G Brad Friedel-Aston Villa (90 minutes)
RB Eric Lichaj-Aston Villa (90 minutes)

Fulham 1 West Ham 3
F Clint Dempsey-Fulham (53 minutes)
F Eddie Johnson-Fulham (37 minutes)

Bolton Wanderers 2 West Bromwich 0
CM Stuart Holden-Bolton Wanderers (90 minutes)

English League Championship
Norwich City 4 Sheffield United 2
CB Zak Whitbread-Norwich City (sub: 3 minutes)