Leicester City v Aston Villa.

5.4.99

 Leicester City 2 Aston Villa 2
Heskey's Master Class
  by Peter Gilbert

It was so refreshing to read the programme notes of Martin O'Neill when he attempted to redress the balance of what was written about his team in general and Robbie Savage in particular in The League Cup final two weeks ago.Refreshing because he spoke the truth. He named names and cited particular incidents which should leave a nasty taste in the mouths of people who earn a living by distorting the truth.Good on yer Martin, it's good to know that someone has a grasp on reality.It was also interesting to watch the Sky match on Monday night when Spurs played Newcastle and Freund gestured to the referee that someone had dived;the referee gave him an incredulous look and both commentators burst out laughing and remarked 'Oh he can talk after his antics the other week at Wembley.' The moral of this story is that truth will prevail in the end no matter what words are employed to twist it.

When the players came out to warm up Robbie Savage got a huge heartwarming reception and if he had any doubts about himself they must have evaporated instantly as supporters did exactly what their name suggests.

The pitch had been heavily watered before the game and after only 75 seconds the playing conditions backfired on City. Stone broke down the wing and crossed a good ball which Sinclair shaped up to head clear but he slipped on the surface and in the ensuing scramble the ball fell kindly to Lee Hendrie to crack it into the back of the net. After the success at Tottenham on Saturday reality smacked us in the face while Sinclair sat cleaning the clogged mud from his boots.

Undaunted however City launched themselves into attacking mode with Heskey turning in an absolutely brilliant performance which tore Villa's defence to shreds as he ran powerfully at them often surrounded by three panic stricken defenders. Lennon too was up for it and he won the loose ball regularly, then spreading it with great thought to the wide men Impey and Guppy who looked full of confidence and running. If there is to be a criticism about City's first half performance it was that the ball was spread wide with a certain degree of predictability when cutting through the middle might have born some fruit.A point raised rather tactlessly by Len Glover on the pitch as a 'Birch Mate' at half time.
At the back the City defence settled well with Ullathorne using his skills of anticipation to quash Joachim's dashes at goal. Dublin was proving a handful, timing his jumps to perfection to win a high percentage of balls against Elliott, however as the game developed this situation was reversed as Matty stood off him a little and made a later ball winning leap, thus snuffing out the Leicester born striker.
Tony Cottee looked sharp and he nipped about in lively fashion,once at the far post with a little header but he hit the woodwork.City were certainly on top and we knew they would score somehow.
Emile Heskey was developing his evening into a master class performance, his every move oozed quality,trickery,perception, power and speed. On his day he's the best centre forward in the country and an absolute delight to watch,if you're a Leicester fan that is. He seems to relish playing against England defenders, hopefully he has now overcome his little rash of injuries and he can get his career back on course.Southgate always seems to have a 'mare playing against him,this evening was no exception.

The second half started badly for City;Villa won a corner which was flighted to the back post and instead of knocking it back across the goal it was killed for Joachim to turn sharply and score an easy goal,poor marking.

We were really up against it now and Villa's movement began to flow a little more.
Gunnlaughsson had made his first start and had shown himself to be a tricky tough tackling addition playing just behind the front two but not quite creating the damage we needed,so he was replaced by on loan Miller who looked promising but was clearly not match fit and seemed 'off the pace'. These are two players who show some promise as replacements for the battle weary Muzzy Izzett.

After an hour the ever willing Savage broke away from a pair of surprised defenders on the half way line and while they tried to wake up to what was happening he advanced on Bosnich who advanced too far and was left flat footed as our Welsh Wizard chipped the ball over him and into the net. Robbie enjoyed that and he ran ecstatically to the crowd and we all loved him to pieces.

City pressed on, Watson was taken off and replaced by Barry but no matter what they did they couldn't tie us down and we stepped up a gear and bombarded their goal. Bosnich flapped and patted the ball away on several occasions adding to the total lack of self belief Villa have in their defence.

Once again Heskey won the ball jinked away from his attendants and a cutting pass fed Guppy,he crossed first time into the path of the advancing Cottee who stooped to head home with great precision. A great goal, one to watch in slo-mo I think.
City continued to pound the Villa defence but coming back from a two goal deficit had to be enough on the night although we deserved a win.

Undoubtedly the 'Sporting' press will remark how City scrambled back to grab a draw but really it wasn't like that. Even at two down we looked cool and assured, in fact you have to say that we have only been outplayed on two occasions all season and I will leave you to ponder what they might be. Martin O'Neill has assembled a team that has quality and self belief and although the 'Sporting' press say all the top players are leaving this summer, we look destined to succeed with distinction in the near future.