English Premier League Power Rankings: Week 22

This week in the Premier League, Manchester United remained unbeaten while Darren Bent made his Aston Villa debut and marked it with a goal to help defeat Manchester City.

In other competitions, Arsenal and Birmingham advanced to the Carling Cup final on February 27th and the FA Cup fourth round this weekend features a couple all-Premier League match ups.

20. Wigan (17)

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WIGAN, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Carlos Cuellar of Aston Villa battles Hugo Rodallega of Wigan during the Barclays Premier League match between Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa at the DW Stadium on January 25, 2011 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/

Wigan dropped two games this week with losses to Arsenal and Aston Villa.

James McCarthy scored the Latics only goal this week with his 80th minute strike at home in the loss to Villa on Tuesday.

Roberto Martinez's club now take a trip to Bolton in the FA Cup on Saturday and then visit The Hawthorns to face West Brom on Tuesday.

19. Blackpool (19)

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BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Charlie Adam of Blackpool looks dejected during the Barclays Premier League match between Blackpool and Manchester United at Bloomfield Road on January 25, 2011 in Blackpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Blackpool fell short on Saturday against Sunderland in their 2-1 loss and then almost beat Manchester United at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday but gave up three late goals and suffered a loss.

The Charlie Adam saga took another turn this week with the midfielder filing a transfer request before the weekend with Liverpool and Aston Villa searching for his signature.

The Tangerines return to the pitch on Tuesday when they host West Ham in a relegation battle at Bloomfield Road.

18. West Ham (20)

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BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: Scott Parker of West Ham United walks off dejected with team mates after the Carling Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Birmingham City and West Ham United at St Andrews on January 26, 2011 in Birmingham, England.

The Hammers slipped up against Everton, giving up an equalizer in the last five minutes of the game, resulting in a 2-2 draw.

On Wednesday in the Carling Cup, the Hammers were dropped by Birmingham in a 3-1 loss.

Next up for Avram Grant's club is a home match with Nottingham Forest on Sunday in the FA Cup, followed by a relegation battle with Blackpool on Tuesday.

17. West Brom (16)

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BLACKBURN, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Gabriel Tamas of West Bromwich Albion reacts after scoring an own goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion at Ewood Park on January 23, 2011 in Blackburn, England. (

West Brom fell 2-0 to Blackburn on Sunday on the road and dropped to 16th in the EPL table.

The Baggies will have the weekend off after being eliminated in the third round of the FA Cup by Reading, and will face Wigan at home on Tuesday.

16. Wolverhampton (14)

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WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Ronald Zubar of Wolverhampton Wanderers in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool at Molineux on January 22, 2011 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Mark Thom

Wolves suffered a 3-0 loss at home to Liverpool on Saturday, a few days after taking down Doncaster in the FA Cup third round.

In Wolves' transfer news, Adam Hammill has signed from Barnsley and the club has signed both Richard Stearman and Karl Henry to contract extensions.

Mick McCarthy's club will look to rebound from their loss in their FA Cup fourth round match with Stoke at home on Sunday.

15. Birmingham (13)

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BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: Stephen Carr of Birmingham City celebrates with team mates after the Carling Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Birmingham City and West Ham United at St Andrews on January 26, 2011 in Birmingham, England. (Photo b

Birmingham faced both sides of the emotional spectrum this weekend with a blowout loss to Manchester United, followed up by a win in the Carling Cup semifinals over West Ham.

Goals from Lee Bowyer, Roger Johnson and Craig Gardner all scored in the Blues' triumphant comeback over West Ham to reach the Carling Cup Final at Wembley on February 27th.

Alex McLeish's club will look to continue their cup success against Coventry in the FA Cup fourth round at home on Saturday.

14. Aston Villa (18)

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WIGAN, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Gabriel Agbonlahor of Villa celebrates scoring the first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa at the DW Stadium on January 25, 2011 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/G

The revival at Villa Park has started with back to back wins this week.

Darren Bent scored in his Villa debut on Saturday in the 1-0 win over Manchester City.

Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young continued the positive momentum in a 2-1 win over Wigan on Wednesday.

The wins have put the Villains up to 13th in the table and they will look to advance further in the FA Cup when they face Blackburn on Saturday.

13. Bolton (9)

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BOLTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: The Bolton Wanderers players observes a minutes silence for the late Nat Lofthouse prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea at the Reebok Stadium on January 24, 2011 in Bolton, England.

Bolton suffered their fourth loss in five games in the EPL, thanks to a blowout loss to Chelsea on Monday.

After the 4-0 loss, the Trotters dropped down to 11th place in the table on 30 points.

Owen Coyle's club will look to rebound from their current struggles when they play in one of the many all-EPL clashes in the FA Cup fourth round against Wigan at home.

12. Stoke (6)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Ryan Shawcross of Stoke City leaves the field after being shown the red card during the Barclays Premier League match between Fulham and Stoke City at Craven Cottage on January 22, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Ro

Stoke suffered their seventh road loss of the season at Craven Cottage to Fulham on Saturday.

The loss was the same result that the Potters suffered at home to Fulham a month ago.

Road trips to Wolves, in the FA Cup, and then Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday and Wednesday.

11. Newcastle (10)

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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Fabricio Coloccini of Newcastle celebrates scoring to make it 1-0 during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park on January 22, 2011 in Newcastle upon T

Newcastle were stripped of a win due to a late Tottenham goal at St. James' Park on Saturday.

Fabricio Coloccini scored in the 59th minute before the Magpies gave up the equalizer.

After their shock exit in the third round of the FA Cup, Newcastle have the weekend off before they travel to Craven Cottage on Tuesday.

10. Everton (8)

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Diniyar Bilyaletdinov of Everton celebrates with Leon Osman after scoring their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match at Goodison Park on January 22, 2011 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty

Late equalizing goals from Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Marouane Fellaini saved a point for Everton at home on Saturday.

The Toffees are still looking to replace Steven Pienaar but it looks like it will be an internal replacement as bids for players like Niko Kranjcar of Tottenham.

The 14th placed club play in one of the marquee FA Cup fourth round matches this weekend as they take on Chelsea at home on Saturday.

9. Fulham (11)

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: Andy Johnson of Fulham is challenged by Daniel Agger of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield on January 26, 2011 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty I

Fulham extended their unbeaten streak to three on Saturday with a win over Stoke thanks to two goals from Clint Dempsey.

The Cottagers did slip up on Wednesday when they lost to Liverpool at Anfield by the score of 1-0.

Mark Hughes' club will host Tottenham in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday, followed by a EPL matchup with Newcastle at home on Tuesday.

8. Liverpool (12)

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: Raul Meireles of Liverpool celebrates after John Pantsil of Fulham scored an own goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield on January 26, 2011 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by

Fernando Torres' double helped manager Kenny Dalglish gain his first win back in charge of Liverpool.

Torres scored in the 36th and 90th minutes with Raul Meireles putting one in the back of the net in the 50th minute to contribute to the 3-0 win over Wolves.

The momentum from the win carried into Wednesday's match against Fulham, thanks to a John Pantsil own goal, which gave the Reds a 1-0 win.

The wins boosted Liverpool up to seventh in the EPL table.

7. Blackburn (15)

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BLACKBURN, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Junior Hoilett of Blackburn Rovers celebrates with his team mates Roque Santa Cruz and Michel Salgado (L) after scoring his team's second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Blackburn Rovers and West Bro

David Hoilett fired home the winner for Blackburn on Sunday in their 2-0 win over West Brom.

Rovers have shockingly jumped up to eighth place in the table, the highest they have in a while and the reason for that turn around, manager Steve Kean, has been signed until 2013.

6. Manchester City (3)

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BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Edin Dzeko of Manchester City takes a shot on goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester City at Villa Park on January 22, 2011 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty I

City's five game unbeaten streak was snapped at Villa Park on Saturday in a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa.

City are of course rumored to be signing more stars like Romelu Lukaku, while more stars are on the way out as Emmanuel Adebayor moved to Real Madrid on loan.

City will make a road trip to face Notts County on Sunday in the FA Cup fourth round before they visit Birmingham on Wednesday.

5. Tottenham (5)

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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Gareth Bale of Spurs goes off injured during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park on January 22, 2011 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mic

Aaron Lennon was the hero for Spurs on Saturday by scoring a late injury time equalizer to give his club a point against Newcastle.

New signing Steven Pienaar started and played for 84 minutes, while star Gareth Bale suffered an injury that forced him to leave in the 11th minute.

The draw did force Spurs to drop more points in the title race and it looks like they will be fighting for a Champions League spot instead of the title.

4. Sunderland (7)

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BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Kieran Richardson of Sunderland is congratulated by his team-mates after scoring to make it 2-0 during the Barclays Premier League match between Blackpool and Sunderland at Bloomfield Road on January 22, 2011 in Blackpool

Darren Who?

Darren Bent left Sunderland but the goals did not leave with him as Kieran Richardson scored two goals in the Black Cats; 2-1 win over Blackpool.

The Ghanian contingent at the Stadium of Light is growing as Sulley Muntari has been convinced by his countrymen, Asamoah Gyan and John Mensah to join the club on loan until the end of season from Inter Milan.

3. Chelsea (4)

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BOLTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Didier Drogba of Chelsea celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea at the Reebok Stadium on January 24, 2011 in Bolton, England. (Photo by Michael Stee

Chelsea made a statement on Monday by thumping Bolton by a score of 4-0.

Didier Drogba opened the scoring and was followed by goals from Flourent Malouda, Nicolas Anelka and Ramires.

The win helped the Blues gain points on Manchester City in the chase for third place, as they only sit four points behind City in fourth place on 41 points.

2. Arsenal (1)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal in action during the Carling Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal and Ipswich Town at Emirates Stadium on January 25, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

A pair of 3-0 victories propelled Arsenal this week.

First, the Gunners took down Wigan in the EPL thanks to a Robin van Persie hat trick and then on Tuesday, they took down Ipswich to advance to the Carling Cup final.

Arsenal will try to avoid a giant killer in the form of Huddersfield Town on Saturday in the FA Cup fourth round at the Emirates.

1. Manchester United (2)

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BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Dimitar Berbatov of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Blackpool and Manchester United at Bloomfield Road on January 25, 2011 in Blackpool, England

Manchester United remained undefeated this week with two wins.

On Saturday, United destroyed Birmingham in a 5-0 rout with goals from Ryan Giggs, Nani, and a hat trick from Dimitar Berbatov.

On Tuesday, United survived a shock result at Bloomfield Road as they won 3-2 thanks to two more from Berbatov plus a goal from Chicharito.

The Red Devils will visit Southampton on Saturday in the FA Cup fourth round.