In the Premier League's final game of 2008, the Tigers ended an unforgettable year by losing their third game in succession as Kamil Zayatte's own goal two minutes from time gave high-flying Aston Villa a 1-0 win at the KC Stadium on a bitterly cold Tuesday evening.

It was cruel on City, who put in a much improved performance and certainly were worthy of a point.

City made five changes to the side that started the 1-5 defeat at Manchester City on Boxing Day.

Sam Ricketts made his expected return from suspension to slot in at left back as Paul McShane switched to right back.

With Bernard Mendy moving further forward, Dean Windass dropped out of the side.

The bulk of the changes came in midfield as the Tigers adopted a 4-5-1 formation.

Peter Halmosi, Nick Barmby and Richard Garcia all came in at the expense of George Boateng, Dean Marney and Geovanni while Daniel Cousin occupied the striking role in place of Marlon King.

Geovanni and King were included on the bench along with Craig Fagan.

City started with Halmosi and Mendy on the wings with Garcia and Barmby tucked inside.

Keeper Bo Myhill retained his ever-present record as he lined-up against his former club.

Mendy's advanced role almost paid off as early as the first minute, but Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel just beat him to a loose ball in the box.

City fans were on their feet in the fifth minute as Barmby found the back of the net, but the 'goal' was ruled out for a foul on Friedel, who had dropped Cousin's looping header under pressure from Barmby.

Villa's first real attempt on goal came on 12 minutes.

Bo Myhill's punch from Ashley Young's corner fell to Gareth Barry on the edge of the box, but he fired over.

Mendy was looking lively down the right and when he went past Luke Young and crossed, Halmosi was only inches away from connecting.

Kamil Zayatte picked up the first yellow card of the game in the 26th minute for a foul on Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Curtis Davies went close to putting through his own net following Ian Ashbee's 35th-minute cross, the centre back heading just past the post although City couldn't make anything of the resulting corner.

Zayatte's heart must have been in his mouth on 41 minutes when he was penalised for another foul on Agbonlahor, but the referee only spoke to the City centre back.

Half Time: Tigers 0-0 Villa

City made a promising start to the second half, although Villa survived a couple of early set-pieces.

The determined approach of City wasn't being met with much appreciation by Villa and both Barry and Davies had to be spoken to by the referee before Stiliyan Petrov went a step too far and was booked for dissent.

A soft free kick awarded for a push on Young gave Villa the opportunity to throw men forward, although Ashbee defended well and headed away.

City made their first change on 69 minutes with King replacing Cousin.

Halmosi's 76th minute corner put the Villa defence under pressure, but when Turner headed back across goal, Davies managed to clear.

Another change was made by City with five minutes to go as Bryan Hughes came on for the hard working Barmby.

For all their hard work, City had failed to create any real chances and they were made to pay two minutes from time as a fantastic twelve months were to come to heartbreaking end.

Young - recently described by manager Martin O'Neill as world-class - escaped from Ricketts for the first time all night and when he crossed superbly to the near post.

With no option but to attempt to clear, unfortuneately, the outstanding Zayatte diverted the ball  into his own net for the second home game in a row with Agbonlahor ready to pounce behind him.

City threw on Craig Fagan for Garcia as they went in search of a leveller and three minutes of time were added.

The game ended in controversial fashion.

With keeper Myhill sent up for a corner, a header from a melee of bodies hit the bar and went over.

However, referee Steve Bennett awarded a penalty believing the ball had been helped over by Ashley Young's raised hand.

Amid heated protests, the Villa players led by captain Gareth Barry convinced the referee to consult his assistant Andy Halliday who, notably, had already taken up his position for a spot kick.

After a brief chat, the decision was reversed and TV replays duly proved it should not have been a penalty.

At the end of a controversial finale, City closed a most historic year in 8th position in the Premier League while Villa moved above Arsenal and into the exalted top four.

Tigers (4-5-1) Boaz Myhill; Paul McShane, Michael Turner, Kamil Zayatte, Sam Ricketts; Bernard Mendy, Richard Garcia (Fagan 88), Ian Ashbee [captain], Nick Barmby (Hughes 85), Peter Halmosi; Daniel Cousin (King 69).

Subs: Matt Duke, Nathan Doyle, Bryan Hughes, Stelios, Craig Fagan, Geovanni, Marlon King.

Bookings: Zayatte 26

Aston Villa (4-1-4-1) Brad Friedel; Nigel Reo-Coker, Curtis Davies, Zat Knight, Luke Young; Stiliyan Petrov; James Milner, Steven Sidwell (Gardner 86), Gareth Barry [captain], Ashley Young; Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Subs: Bradley Guzan, Marlon Harewood, Nathan Delfouneso, Moustapha Salifou, Nicky Shorey, Craig Gardner, Isaiah Osbourne.

Bookings: Barry 50, Petrov 60.