Leicester City skipper Matt Elliott was again the chief thorn in the side of Aston Villa as the Foxes maintained their 13-year unbeaten run against theirMidlands rivals in a pulsating Premiership clash.

Elliott had wrecked Villa's Worthington Cup dreams when he scored the only goal of this season's two legged semi-final.

And the Scotland international came up trumps again by scoring his side's first goal and laying on the second equaliser for Neil Lennon.

But the game ended in controversy with an injury-time touch-line flare-up involving a dozen players and Leicester assistant-manager John Robertson.

The visitors were incensed by a late touch-line tackle by Villa substitute Lee Hendrie on Rob Savage and several stewards were involved in restoring order.

Then Foxes manager Martin O'Neill was involved in verbal exchanges with Villa fans after the final whistle as he headed for the dressing rooms.

Villa must be wondering what they have to do to defeat the Foxes and the two dropped points was a big blow to their hopes of sneaking into Europe via a high Premiership placing.

They have been beaten just once in the Premiership since December 4 but the impact of that run has been lessened by it including too many matches where the spoils have been shared.

John Gregory's side certainly showed plenty of enterprise and purpose with Benito Carbone and Paul Merson combining well and always threatening to unlock the Foxes rearguard.

Alan Thompson also did his chances no harm of convincing Gregory that he should figure in his long term plans with his second goal in three starts since being brought back into the first team picture.

But the Foxes always seem to have a trick or two up their sleeve to frustrate Villa - and in Elliott they have the ace of the pack.

The Scotland defender started in defence, went upfront to score and lay on Neil Lennon's equaliser, and reverted to the back to help deny a late Villa surge for the three points.

The point gained by Leicester keeps them on course to achieve their main aim of a fourth successive top ten finish since returning to the Premiership.

Leicester began with midfielder Muzzy Izzet partnering Tony Cottee in attack with skipper Elliott reverting to his prefereed central defensive role,

The Foxes, last beaten by Villa in 1987, had a Cottee shot blocked by Gareth Barry who then produced a good tackle to halt Frank Sinclair after he seized onto a threatening pass from Elliott.

The home side then enjoed a purple patch with Carbone, whose long term future at Villa is still to be resolved, in inspired form.

He shot into side-netting after wriggling past the challenge of Phil Gilchristand then a delighted reverse pass almost let in Steve Watson who was crowded out by the Leicester defence.

The Italian then nearly caught Tim Flowers out with a 25 yard volley which was only inches too high after Paul Merson had played a delightful first time ball into his path.

But it was Alan Thompson, frozen out of the first team picture for four months until recently, who put John Gregory's side in the 31st minute.

Dion Dublin was the creator with a back heel which fell into the path of Thompson who crashed a rising left-footed shot past Flowers.

It was Thompson's second goal in three starts since coming back into the senior fold following his last gasp winner against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

O'Neill then instantly switched his formation around with Elliott pushed upfront, Izzet reverting to midfield and Frank Sinclair moving to cenre-back.

It paid quickfire dividends - but Villa defender Gareth Barry was guilty of gifting the goal to Elliott.

Stefan Oakes sent over a dipping left-wing free-kick and Barry completed missed his attempted clearance.

The ball fell into the path of Elliott at the far post and he made no mistake as he hammered a rising shot past David James for his ninth goal of the campaign.

Villa needed only three minutes of the econd half to regain the lead through a rare headed goal from Paul Merson.

Thompson played the ball out wide to Steve Watson who skipped past the challenge of Gilchrist before sending over a deep cross.

Merson timed his run to perfection and he powered an unstoppable header past Flowers for his first goal since February 26 and his fifth of the season.

Villa now enjoyed the lion's share of the play with Merson and Carbone continuing to ask questions of the Leicester defence.

The pair combined to let in Boateng but Flowers came out to smother his shot.

But any side managed by Martin O'Neill will not lay down and die and in the 67th minute they were back on level terms for the second time.

Izzet sent over a right-wing cross, Elliott headed back to Lennon and, despite the efforts of Alan Wright to close him down, he was able to drive a right-footed shot wide of David James.

Teams:

Aston Villa: James, Ehiogu, Samuel, Barry, Watson, Thompson (Hendrie 72), Boateng, Merson, Wright,Dublin (Joachim 80), Carbone.

Subs Not Used: Ghrayib, Bewers, Enckelman.

Booked: Boateng, Watson, Hendrie.

Goals: Thompson 31, Merson 48.

Leicester: Flowers, Sinclair, Taggart, Gilchrist, Impey, Savage, Lennon, Oakes (Dudfield 59), Izzet (Zagorakis 72),Cottee, Elliott.

Subs Not Used: Walsh, Marshall, Arphexad.

Booked: Taggart, Lennon.

Goals: Elliott 36, Lennon 67.

Att: 31,229

Ref: G Barber (Tring).