It was Vassell's second strike that was the highlight of the evening, a superb first-time volley after linking with Cole, as they have done many times already this season since joining City in the summer.
Cole bamboozled a Villa defender with an exquisite flick before finding his strike partner, and Vassell returned the favour late on as Cole drew level with Vassell on five Premiership goals for the season - unless of course the dubious goals panel chalk off Cole's deflected effort.
And Pearce was beaming about the early success of his summer recruits.
"Darius and Andy are like Laurel and Hardy - apart from the humour," he said. "I just feel they compliment each other really well and I could not think of another example.
"Darius has given us the pace and power we have lacked while Andy is the brains behind the organisation who plays the one and two touch stuff.
"They are both smashing lads and people need to remember they have only been playing together for a very short period of time. The more games they play, the better they will get."