The winger netted his first for the club with an effort that proved too hot for Mark Schwarzer to handle, squirming into the back of the net to ensure Villa’s name is in the hat for Monday night’s eagerly-anticipated draw.
Sinclair could not hide his delight after the game, taking to Twitter to share his thoughts:
Great result today and happy to get my first goal for @AVFCOfficial no matter how it goes in!
— Scott Sinclair (@Scotty_Sinclair) February 15, 2015@Scotty_Sinclair Yes son, great to see you get your first goal for the Villa today. Onwards and upwards - go and tear it up!
— Ben Patel-Sadler (@BPS_777) February 15, 2015In Spain, Alvaro Negredo also proved the match-winner for Valencia as Los Che secured a 1-0 triumph over Getafe to move into La Liga’s fourth Champions League spot.
The Beast won and converted the penalty that decided the encounter to keep his side’s European hopes alive.
In the same division, Bruno Zuculini was substituted at half-time for Cordoba, who suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Sevilla.
Back in England, there was another Blue loanee on the scoresheet as Devante Cole found the net for MK Dons, who went on to lose 4-2 at Gillingham.
After netting his first goals for the club a with a brace a fortnight ago, the striker received praise from manager Karl Robinson - and the youngster did so again this week.
He stated: “He’s a top player and there are so many elements to his game. We’re very fortunate to have him and he’ll only get better.”
Props to Devante Cole scoring his 10th of the season " chip off the old block " @vancole9 must be very proud of his son 👊
— BeardedDon (@BeardedDon) February 14, 2015Also in League One, George Evans played the full 90 minutes for Scunthorpe as the Iron defeated high-flying Swindon at Glanford Park.
The midfielder replaced Isaiah Osbourne in the starting line-up and earned plaudits for his display from Iron fans on social media.
@GeorgeEvans70 great performance today lad. Made some good tackles in the middle of the park toady. #3points #UTI
— Luke Sherman (@L1988Luke) February 14, 2015@GeorgeEvans70 well done you played excellent you have a nice touch on the ball very controlled #uti great game!! ⚽️👌😆
— Nat (@pinknat87) February 15, 2015Greg Leigh also helped Crewe Alexandra to a 2-0 win over Fleetwood at the Alexandra Stadium.
Elsewhere, Jordy Hiwula - currently on loan at Walsall - insists the Saddlers can still challenge for the play-offs, despite falling to defeat at the hands of Port Vale on Saturday.
The forward, who completed 74 minutes, was involved in a key point in the game as he appeared to be hauled down in the area - only for the referee to wave away the protests. Within minutes, the visitors capitalised to take home all three points.
Speaking after the clash, the 20-year-old expressed his disappointment but is remaining positive for his side’s hopes for the rest of the season.
“It is a bit of a kick in the teeth,” he admitted, “but we need to carry on, get over it and try and win next week. When you lose a game, it plays on your mind.
Win and you just move on but when you lose a game, you start thinking of how you could have done better in the game and what you could have done differently.
North of the border, Jason Denayer played his part in Celtic’s 2-1 victory at St Johnstone, while John Guidetti was an unused substitute.
Denayer, who had earned rave reviews from the Hoops’ faithful since his move and was named in the BT Sport Scottish Premiership Team of the Week, is hoping to return to City over the summer and stake a claim for the first-team, alongside compatriot Vincent Kompany.
“I hope next season to be ready to play for City,” he revealed. “If I ever get the chance to play with Vincent Kompany, then I know I will have made it.
“My view is that I will return to City next season.”
Guidetti has also been rumoured to be leaving Celtic Park at the end of the season, having today been linked with a summer move to Inter Milan - as Micah Richards was in January.
The defender has struggled to break into the Fiorentina first-team this season through injury but completed 90 minutes for La Viola in their 3-1 win over Sassuolo on Saturday.
He told Sky Sports Italia he now hopes to push on and cement his place in the starting XI.
Elsewhere, Seko Fofana remained on the bench for Fulham, as they succumbed 2-1 at home to Ipswich, while Sinan Bytyqi was a 73rd minute subtitute for Cambuur in their victory over Heerenveen.
