League leaders Aston Villa were forced to come from behind against a Leicester City side who took a first half lead through Tony Cottee.

BBC Radio 5 Live final whistle match report

The Foxes striker scored on 36 minutes after good work by Steve Guppy.

It was only the third time Villa's defence had been breached in the Premiership, and it was a defender who eventually rescued John Gergory's team.

On 68 minutes, Ugo Ehiogu knocked in a header from a corner - a rare lapse in a solid defensive performance from Leicester.

It was a game which Villa dominated in terms of possession, but they rarely looked like breaking through a well-organised City defence, boosted no doubt by Martin O'Neill's decision to stay at the club.

Emile Heskey challenges Gareth Southgate

Striker Stan Collymore was lively, while Alan Thompson worked hard in midfield.

But Paul Merson was unable to find the space he needs to thrive after being selected ahead of European goalscorer and former Leicester man Julian Joachim.

Villa started brightly with Merson putting Collymore in after just two minutes.

Matt Elliott talks to BBC Radio 5 Live

Only a brave dive from keeper Kasey Keller and Matt Elliott's support kept City on level terms.

Collymore enjoyed a lively first-half and kept Keller on his toes with a well-struck 30-yard effort, before the American keeper had his defenders to thank after driving a clearance straight at the advancing striker.

City's defence even had cause to be grateful to Merson when he got in the way of a Lee Hendrie piledriver, but the visitors then gradually started to come into the game.

Robbie Savage's cross reached Muzzy Izzet 10 minutes before the break and although he could not get a shot on goal, seconds later, Cottee did just that.

Steve Guppy's ball found Theo Zagorakis at the far post and when the Greek cut it back to Cottee, the striker sent a right-foot shot screaming past Michael Oakes and into the top corner.

Villa pressure

John Gregory's half-time team-talk appeared to do the trick as Villa emerged for the second half firing on all cylinders.

But they struggled to make the pressure tell, their best chance falling to skipper Gareth Southgate, who failed to convert Gareth Barry's lovely left-wing cross.

The breakthrough finally came on 68 minutes after Villa won two corners in quick succession.

Ehiogu met Hendrie's first attempt, but Emile Heskey headed behind to give him a second chance.

This time the giant defender found that vital yard of space and sent a powerful header whistling past the helpless Keller.

Villa had a chance to take all three points on 76 minutes as Thompson broke clear on the right, but Ullathorne's superbly-timed challenged halted his progress.

And there were appeals for a penalty three minutes later when a Collymore shot cannoned off Elliott's arms.

But O'Neill's men held on to maintain an unbeaten run against Villa since Leicester's return to the top flight.

The Birmingham club stay four points clear at the top of the Premiership.

Aston Villa

Oakes, Charles, Wright, Southgate, Ehiogu, Taylor, Collymore, Merson, Thompson, Barry, Hendrie. Subs: Watson, Draper, Joachim, Grayson, Rachel.

Leicester

Keller, Sinclair, Izzet, Lennon, Heskey, Guppy, Savage, Elliott, Ullathorne, Cottee, Zagorakis. Subs: Walsh, Parker, Fenton, Wilson, Arphexad.