*Crouch happy as Villa’s tallest story*

Typical. Even with Leicester City already consigned to the Nationwide League, Aston Villa were unable to record their first victory at Filbert Street for 15 years.

Coincidentally that success had proved the first win of Graham Taylor’s first spell as Villa manager. That this latest and last visit to a ground that awaits the demolition ball this summer did not produce the second of his second coming was not for the want of trying by Peter Crouch

Before kick-off the Leicester manager Micky Adams pondered how his defence would counter the aerial threat posed by the 6ft 7in striker. In the event it was Crouch’s ability to keep the ball in check at the end of his mightily effective legs that taxed the home defence. That he did not crown an excellent display with a goal was due only to a blinding save by Leicester’s Ian Walker in the dying minutes.

Clearly, and unlike his fellow Villa strikers Juan Pablo Angel and Bosko Balaban, Crouch has had little difficulty in adjusting to the Premiership or settling in at the club. “I love it here and have had no problems in getting to know my team-mates or playing in the Premiership,” he said.

Taylor will no doubt hope that the same will be true for the Swedish international striker Marcus Allback, who yesterday said he was likely to move to Villa from the Dutch club Heerenveen next month for £2m.

Villa twice took the lead on Saturday. Walker was first beaten when Crouch set up Darius Vassell to guide a right-footed cross inside the far post. Then Villa’s second proved that Thomas Hitzlsperger, an impressive and primarily left-footed teenage midfielder, can also use his right to good effect.

And just as Crouch and Hitzlsperger augur well for Villa’s future, Matthew Piper, Jon Stevenson and Jon Ashton promise much for Leicester. “They are the future and we’re very excited about them,” said Adams.

Piper continued to impress as did the even less experienced Jon Stevenson, who, despite looking like the City mascot when standing alongside Crouch, scored the hosts’ second equaliser.

The more experienced Muzzy Izzet had been responsible for the first, converting the penalty after Jlloyd Samuel had fouled Lee Marshall. And it was two who should have known better - Villa’s George Boateng and Paul Dickov of City - who ensured a keenly but fairly fought game ended on an unacceptable note.

Dickov’s challenge on Boateng after the final whistle resulted in the City forward losing a boot and the aggrieved Dutch midfielder tossing the footwear towards a stand. Mirroring much of Villa’s finishing, Boateng’s throw hit the roof but that is unlikely to prevent the FA from taking action against him.