Lee Hendrie ensured Aston Villa finally broke their Leicester hoodoo stretching back more than 13 years with a second-half winner in tonight's Premiership derby.

Villa had failed to defeat the Foxes in 14 matches stretching back to February 1988 and had been knocked out of the FA Cup by them this season in the fourth round.

The signs were not good when Callum Davidson gave Peter Taylor's patched-up side the lead against the run of play.

But Dion Dublin headed Villa level and then man-of-the-match Hendrie settled the issue with 20 minutes left to end years of frustration for the home supporters at the hands of their midlands rivals.

Most of the attacking ideas came from Villa as Leicester, missing a host of midfield players including Robbie Savage and Muzzy Izzet, seemed content to try and soak up the pressure.

Dublin had a field day in the air against the experienced duo of Foxes skipper Matt Elliott and Gerry Taggart, particularly in the opening 45 minutes.

Hendrie, apart from one glaring second-half miss before his goal, and Paul Merson were impressive in midfield as Villa looked more fluent and threatening than in recent home games.

The Foxes, whose last away win in the Premiership was at Middlesbrough in early November, started to look more of a threat for a spell in the second period when Ade Akinbiyi became more involved.

But Villa were well worthy of the three points to keep alive their slim hopes of securing a UEFA Cup spot while Leicester have still to get their shock FA Cup exit by Wycombe out of their system.

After being in the top six for the majority of the season their season is in danger of drifting to a aimless finish, particularly with them lacking the strength in depth to cover for the absence of key players.

Villa dominated proceedings from the first whistle and Hendrie beat goalkeeper Simon Royce all ends up with a dipping 25-yard shot which flew inches wide.

The home side showed plenty of patience in the early stages but they were almost caught out when a cross from Davidson picked out Akinbiyi whose header was saved by David James to his left.

The impressive Dublin had a spectacular volley turned over the bar by Royce after he had latched on to a cross from Steve Stone.

But after 27 minutes a slice of good fortune enabled Leicester to break the deadlock after Villa midfielder George Boateng had given the ball away.

Davidson seized the initiative but his low cross looked to be covered by James until it took a wicked deflection and flew into the left-hand corner of the net.

Villa needed only four minutes to get back on level terms through Dublin's seventh goal of the season.

Hendrie supplied the cross, Dublin's powerful header knocked Royce backwards and the assistant linesman was perfectly placed to adjudge the ball had crossed the line.

Dublin was having a field day and another header from a Paul Merson cross produced a fine one-handed save from Royce away to his right.

Leicester attacked only spasmodically but Lee Marshall should have done better when he headed wide from six yards out following a Taggart cross.

In first-half injury-time a left-footed 30-yard chip was turned over the bar by Royce.

Villa started the second half in the same positive manner and Boateng had the ball in the net after 48 minutes but Stone had clearly handled in the build-up and was booked for the offence.

Leicester still posed a threat on the break and it needed a fine tackle from Mark Delaney to halt Akinbiyi after he had been sent clear by Junior Lewis.

Then Gary Rowett sent a near-post header over the bar when completely unmarked after he had met a corner from Andrew Impey.

Villa began to build up the momentum again and Hendrie shot across the face of goal after Dublin had headed on a long clearance from James in a route-one manoeuvre.

But the midfielder was not to be denied and when skipper Gareth Southgate laid the ball back into his path Hendrie made no mistake from the edge of the area after 70 minutes.

Leicester staged a late rally and James kept out an effort from Eliott but Villa held on to deservedly take the three points.

Teams:

Aston Villa: James, Delaney, Wright, Southgate, Alpay, Boateng (Joachim 70), Stone (Ginola 59), Hendrie, Taylor,Dublin, Merson.

Subs Not Used: Staunton, Vassell, Enckelman.

Booked: Stone, Alpay.

Goals: Dublin 30, Hendrie 72.

Leicester: Royce, Taggart, Elliott, Marshall, Davidson (Guppy 76), Impey, Oakes, Rowett, Lewis, Akinbiyi (Benjamin 76), Sturridge (Gunnlaugsson 34).

Subs Not Used: Delaney, Andrews.Booked: Lewis, Taggart.

Goals: Davidson 27.

Att: 29,043

Ref: M Dean (The Wirral).