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Aston Villa: James, Ehiogu, Samuel, Barry, Watson,
Thompson, Boateng, Merson, Wright, Dublin, Carbone.
Subs not used: Joachim, Hendrie, Ghrayib, Bewers, Enckelman.
Leicester: Flowers, Sinclair, Taggart, Gilchrist, Impey,
Savage, Lennon, Oakes, Izzet, Cottee, Elliott.
Subs not used: Walsh, Marshall, Dudfield, Zagorakis, Arphexad.
Referee: G Barber (Tring).
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Aston Villa (1) 2 vs
Leicester City (1) 2 FT
Thompson 31
Merson 48 Elliot
36 Lennon 67
Still boring after 13 years????
We had hopes today of continuing our 13 years unbeaten run
against Villa but we knew that they would be out to avenge their
cup defeat at our hands this season. As we approached the ground
in the driving rain, we knew that we had to prove to Manager
John Gregory that we were not as boring as he had proclaimed
to the media earlier in the season.
We started with Tony Cottee up front along with Muzzy Izzett
and the game started brightly with adventurous play by both sides.
In the early stages Andy Impey put Tony Cottee through in space
but his shot was blocked by Villa defender Gareth Barry and a
little later Cottee had a half chance but failed to connect properly
with a volley.
Villa continued to play with great endeavour , the main danger
coming from Carbone and they were rewarded in the31st minute
when a Thompson left foot drive put them ahead. This prompted
Martin O'Neill to change tactics immediately and he pushed Elliott
up front, Muzzy Izzett to midfield and Sinclair to centre back.
Strangely enough the sun started shining but we were not in a
'sunny' frame of mind until in the 36th minute as a result of
an error by Gareth Barry Matt Elliott hammered home his ninth
goal of the season. It was obvious that Muzzy Izzett lacked his
usual sparkle and was not yet 100% match fit.
Our alarm bells rang once more when three minutes into the
second half Merson scored with a powerful header from a cross
by Steve Watson. Villa seemed heartened by this, no doubt believing
they could at last beat us for the first time in 13 years. They
launched several attacks, hoping for a third goal, but this was
not to be and in the 67th minute, Lennon launched a right footed
shot past David James to even the score.
In the dying minutes of the game tempers were raised after
Lee Hendrie committed a serious foul on Robbie Savage.
Villa must be wondering what they have to do to beat Leicester
City who have proved their superiority over the past 13 years.
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