*Hendrie’s late strike helps run the Foxes to ground*

Aston Villa finally ended Leicester City’s hold over them with an overdue victory that adds impetus to their finishing-straight sprint for European qualification.

Until last night Villa had failed to win any of the 14 League and Cup encounters with their Midlands neighbours since the Premiership was formed.

And in ending their own unenviable record Villa also extended an equally unacceptable sequence for Leicester, one that is posing a very real threat to their chances of qualifying for the Uefa Cup for the second successive season.

City have now lost nine Premiership away games in a row, a sequence that goes back to November and one that has been interrupted just once, curiously at Villa Park in the FA Cup. City had Callum Davidson sent off in that 2-1 victory and the Scottish international defender went some way towards atoning by putting his side in front in the 27th minute.

It was a goal scored, however, more by luck than judgment. Villa’s keeper David James appeared to have Davidson’s low effort from distance covered before he was wrong-footed when the ball took a diversion past him via Alpay Ozalan’s leg.

Judgment and luck were also involved in Villa’s equaliser two minutes later when Dion Dublin headed a cross from Lee Hendrie into Simon Royce’s hands.

According to the linesman the ball had crossed the line before the City keeper grounded it in front of the line.

The official had no hesitation in signalling a goal, a decision that was greeted with scepticism by both managers. “You can tell by looking at a video of the incident there is no possible way anyone can be sure that was a goal,” City’s manager Peter Taylor said.

“To be fair I can’t believe he gave it,” said Gregory, “and I’m sure Peter Taylor isn’t very happy. I certainly wouldn’t be.”

Despite that considerable portion of good fortune, Villa were good value for their victory over opponents handicapped by the absence of experienced midfielders Robbie Savage and Muzzy Izzet.

As hard as they tried Lee Marshall, Junior Lewis and Stefan Oakes were dominated by Villa’s new-look midfield quartet as, once again, Gregory opted for a 4-4-2 formation. That included Hendrie playing on the left of the four for the second game in a row and once again to good effect.

He scored Villa’s final goal in the 3-1 win at Manchester City on Saturday and was responsible for an even more important one last night when he fired home the winner 17 minutes from time.

The midfielder served notice in the ninth minute with a fierce cross-shot that evaded the diving Royce but also his left-hand post. He should have done better in the 69th minute, however, when Villa executed a manoeuvre that would have delighted all devotees of route one football. James kicked long, Dublin headed on only for Hendrie to shoot wide when one on one with Royce.

He redeemed himself when, having taken a short free-kick to Gareth Southgate, he accepted the reply and shot past Royce to settle matters.