Leicester: Flowers, Rowett (Walsh, 82), Davidson (Eadie, 60), Elliott, Taggart, Impey, Savage, Lennon, Izzet, Collymore, Akinbiyi.

Subs not used: Royce, Gilchrist, Cottee.

Booked: Lennon, Savage.

Aston Villa: James, Wright, Southgate, Boateng, Dublin, Merson, Ginola (Vassell, 59), Barry, Hendrie, Stone, Alpay.

Subs not used: Ehiogu, Taylor, Samuel, Enckelman.

Booked: Ginola, Merson, Vassell.

Attendance: 21,455.

Referee: M Riley

City's New Life.

Peter Gilbert. 19.8.00.

Before the kick off it was all razzamatazz in the sunshine as the crowd wound themselves up for the benefit of their heroes who had decided to stay with Leicester City FC. It was gratifying to see that we are able to move out of the 'selling club' bracket and into a more substantial status.
The players warmed up more methodically, playing touch football in bibs, to keep them sharp and focussed.
Then at 2.55pm they ran out without the ref. or the opposition and waved at us from the centre circle. Then Peter Taylor put in an appearance; he clenched his fist in determined fashion.
Over the last few weeks there has been so much talk, but now the talking was about to stop and action was going to take over. PT's first team lined up in a 4 4 2 formation with Rowett and Davidson as full backs and Akinbiyi up front with Stan who right from the kick off ran at the Villa in a move he had dreamed up and which might have come off had his cross not gone into the double decker.
That opening flurry was all the City action worth shouting about for some time, as dream starts were taken over by the nitty gritty and reality set in.
Villa looked good in midfield with Hendrie, Stone, Boateng and Merson running things. Ginola flounced about and Dublin was left to try reality on his own. At the back Villa looked impressive too with Muzzy's mate Alpay stitching up every seam that opened before him.
It was a battle and we were just about holding our own when Akinbiyi scorched down the right wing and crossed to Stan who possibly should have done better from inside the box but James clawed his delicate effort away.
By half time we were more in the swing of things and we came off with conviction and to a rousing reception. Rowett had looked composed as had Davidson and Akinbiyi looked potentially lethal. However it was the backbone of the team who were somewhat lacking with Lennon and Taggert both looking below par.
In the second half the same trend continued, Villa could have won it when Dublin had two good chances but failed to get on target. Hendrie had a good shot blocked by his own players.
For our part Aki got away once and smashed a great shot low down which James did well to get to. Stan flicked on well and once Savage had a good chance to which he reacted slowly and the moment was gone.
All in all we would have to be happy with a draw……..Villa played consistent quality football and we looked like a car that had been in the garage too long but there were encouraging signs although we clearly lacked precision, sharpness and genuine menace.
There was much huffing puffing but we could not blow the Villa down no matter how hard we tried.

It will take time for the new regime to make it's mark of course although PT did achieve something that MON did not achieve during his last 45 games in charge and that is a 0-0 draw.

Next stop West Ham away……..don't worry PT; MON never even got a draw there.