CarlingNet - No 1 for Match Reports

Aston Villa v Leicester 16/11/96 3.00

Aston Villa             (1) 1 Leicester               (2) 3 FT
Yorke 15                      Claridge 8
                              Parker 43 (pen)
                              Izzet 85

Aston Villa surrendered their unbeaten home record with their old boy Garry Parker scoring the decisive second goal from a controversial penalty in the Midlands derby at Villa.

Villa goalkeeper Michael Oakes looked to collide accidentally with Leicester striker Emile Heskey but referee David Elleray ruled otherwise much to the anger of the Villa players and the crowd.

Parker converted the spot-kick but the controversy over that decision should not mask an inept display by Brian Little's side. His old club Leicester were well worth the three points.

Although Dwight Yorke had a sparkling game upfront, Villa for all their possession carved out few clearcut chances.

Neil Lennon and Parker called the tune in midfield for Leicester and the pace of Heskey and the determination of Steve Claridge meant they always caused problems upfront.

Leicester went ahead in the seventh minute courtesy of a dreadful blunder by Villa full-back Fernando Nelson.

Villa 'keeper Oakes beat away a powerful drive from Mike Whitlow but Nelson looked to have covered the follow up centre by Heskey.

However, the Portugese international miscued his attempted clearance straight into the path of Claridge who could not believe his luck as he slotted home from six yards out.

Villa needed only eight minutes to get back on level terms with Yorke pouncing for his seventh goal in as many games.

Alan Wright's powerful low drive was turned out by Leicester keeper Kasey Keller but Yorke pounced to turn home the rebound from a narrow angle.

Wright sent a 25 yard effort over the bar and Keller beat out a powerful drive from Tommy Johnson but Leicester also posed problems with Heskey heading over when well placed and a low Claridge drive going only a foot the wrong side of a post.

Heskey's power and pace posed a constant threat and it was his presence which earned his side a penalty, albeit it a controversial one, in the 41st minute.

Oakes came racing out of his goal intending to try and intercept a long clearance from Spencer Prior aimed in the direction of Heskey.

Gareth Southgate tidied up the danger but Oakes' momentum meant he was unable to avoid colliding with Heskey.

However, it was still a surprise when referee David Elleray, who was 30 yards from the incident, pointed to the spot and Parker made no mistake from 12 yards.

Leicester should have increased their lead in the 50th minute after Simon Grayson intercepted Ian Taylor's back pass but he screwed his low shot wide of the post with only Oakes to beat.

Villa manager Brian Little tried to galvanise his side into life by substituting the out of sorts Nelson and Sasa Curcic and playing three upfront.

But, although enjoying the lion's share of the possession after the break, Villa struggled to breakdown a resolute Leicester rearguard.

The home side had strong claims for a penalty turned down in the 61st minute when Leicester skipper Steve Walsh appeared to handle a centre from Ian Taylor.

But Leicester made sure of the points five minutes from time when the ever willing Claridge released Mustafa Izzet and he calmly evaded the challenge of Oakes before sealing Villa's fate.

In the last minute Heskey nearly added a fourth for Leicester when his shot thundered aganst the crossbar.