By 
Saddam Masereka was the star for SC Villa as they saw off Mbarara City 2-1 in a StarTimes Uganda Premier League game played on Tuesday afternoon.
Masereka assisted Villa’s opener just before the break, before he got on target few moments later to spur the Jogoos to a vital victory.
Although the opening half ended goalless, the crossbar was rattled thrice by the two side. Mbarara hit it twice while Villa hit it once.
Mbarara started off the game strongly and had their first shot on the target in the second minute when Augustine Kacacu shot was saved by Martin Ssenkooto, the Villa keeper.
They had another attempt in the 25th minute but Sadat Nsubuga effort was well collected by Ssenkoto.
The Ankole lions continued creating chance after chance and consequently rattled the crossbar just after the half-hour mark through Solomon Okwalinga’s free kick.
Mbarara City’s next chance fell to Henry Kitegenyi, but he failed to get his ball past Ssenkoto.
Before the break, Mbarara were unlucky again as they rattled the crossbar for a second time courtesy of Nsubuga’s corner.
Villa’s best goalscoring chance in the opening half fell to Sadam Juma, but could only rattle the crossbar after an excellent Masereka cross.
Immediately after restart, Villa took the lead through Ronald Oti’s own goal who netted into his own net following an excellent Masereka cross from the right
Before Mbarara could know it, it was 2-0 for Villa with Masereka this time finding the back after having collected the ball from outside the box to shot past the hapless Muhammad Ssenkeba.
Villa almost got the third at the 71st minute but this time, Ssenkeba went down well to deny Isaac Ogwang, who had received an excellent pass from Masereka to shot.
The Ankole lions pulled a goal back in the 80th minute from a spot after Davis Ssekagja handled the ball in the area for Okwalinga to step up and calmly slot home.
Mbarara tried to pull a goal back in the later stages of the game but Villa remained rock-solid at the back.
Villa, who have returned to winning ways move to 10th position on the log with 28 points in 26 games.
For Mbarara, they remain second bottom with 22 points.
