Manchester United launched a stunning comeback to rescue a point through Federico Macheda and Nemanja Vidic after Aston Villa looked set for their first home win over the Red Devils in 15 years.

Manchester City, meanwhile, drew 0-0 at home to Birmingham as manager Roberto Mancini finds himself increasingly in the spotlight after just one win in five games. Carlos Tevez thought he had put City ahead late on in the first half but it was ruled out for handball with the Argentinian booked. Despite the Blues failing to break the deadlock manager Roberto Mancini took off Tevez to protests from the City fans and replaced him with Gareth Barry.

Villa, lacking nine players through injury or illness, stunned United as Ashley Young and Marc Albrighton put them in command with only 15 minutes remaining. But United rallied through Macheda and skipper Vidic to maintain their unbeaten record this season. Nevertheless, they are still three points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea who have a game in hand against Sunderland tomorrow.

Liverpool slumped to their first defeat in seven matches as goals from Ricardo Fuller and Kenwyne Jones earned a 2-0 win for Stoke at the Britannia Stadium. Roy Hodgson's side conceded in the 56th minute when a long throw led to a chaotic sequence of blocked shots and attempted clearances that eventually ended when Fuller drove home from close range. Jones put the result beyond doubt with a clinical finish in stoppage time before Reds midfielder Lucas Leiva was sent off for chopping down Matthew Etherington.

Tottenham enjoyed their first league win since 16 October when they beat Blackburn 4-2 at White Hart Lane. However, the loss of two late goals meant they squandered the chance to move into fifth. Gareth Bale gave Spurs the lead in the 16th minute. Rafael Van der Vaart swung in a corner which an unmarked Bale attacked to power in a header at the near post. Referee Andre Mariner then awarded a questionable penalty to Spurs just after the half hour when Paul Robinson was adjudged to have brought down Peter Crouch but Roman Pavlyuchenko put the ball wide.

The Russian then made up for his miss three minutes before half-time when he headed home. Crouch sent a shot into the roof of the net before Bale got Spurs' fourth following close control by Van der Vaart. Spurs, though, lost their concentration as they allowed David Dunn and Gael Givet to pull two goals back in the last 10 minutes.

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway ensured he remained in the spotlight when he named a completely different XI for the clash at West Ham. The Premier League are investigating Holloway's decision to make 10 changes for the midweek trip to Aston Villa. West Ham had to make an early change when Kieron Dyer limped out of the game after less than 20 minutes. Blackpool had to replace goalkeeper Gilks at the start of the second half, after he appeared to jar his knee when clearing a goal-kick, with Richard Kingson coming on for an unexpected second appearance of the week.

Victor Obinna shot over the bar for the hosts before former Hammers striker Marlon Harewood's effort was ruled out for offside. Gary Taylor-Fletcher missed a great chance for the Seasiders and the game finished goalless, the Hammers still rooted to the bottom.

Bolton moved into fifth after they held on for a 3-2 win at Wolves who remain firmly in the relegation zone. Wolves suffered the worst possible start when Richard Steadman headed into his own net in the first minute. Johan Elmander then doubled Bolton's lead with a little over an hour gone. The Swede received the ball under the attention of three defenders but close control saw him wriggle free and he calmly slotted home. Stuart Holden made it 3-0 when he finished off a passing move five minutes later. Wolves immediately pulled one back when Kevin Foley curled the ball home and they reduced the deficit further through Steven Fletcher's header. Despite intense pressure the Molineux side could not find the equaliser.

Elsewhere Newcastle drew 0-0 with Fulham while Victor Moses' 70th-minute goal saw Wigan claim victory over West Brom.