Garde unhappy with penalty call in Villa draw

Leicester had to settle for a 1-all draw with Aston Villa, after having a penalty saved in the first half before Villa’s 75th minute equaliser.

Although Leicester went top, a point ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal, the London club can return to the summit on Monday by drawing at Stoke.

Full report to follow.

Villa, the division’s bottom side who claimed a first win since the opening day of the season against Crystal Palace in midweek, were buoyed by that let-off and substitute Rudy Gestede levelled amid suspicions of offside with 15 minutes remaining. “Now they taste the cake at the top of the table and the difference is very high”. Villa boss Remi Garde will be upset their efforts did not earn a victory but there is plenty to be positive about.

“We scored a goal and had the chance to close the match but we missed the penalty and Aston Villa was regenerated. It’s still okay”, former Blackburn Rovers striker Gestede told Sky Sports following a result that leaves Villa nine points from safety.

“It was a pity because we were in control. Of course, they tried to push but there was no clear action from them, and we missed two chances on the counter”.

“I try to motivate my players but it’s important they have the right mentality”.

“It’s one point, it’s okay, it’s a derby – but we are disappointed”.

It was from then on that the home side kicked on, going toe-to-toe with a team that many had expected to see them off easily.

It was one of those moments that typifies the misfortune of a struggling team and they duly fell behind just before the half hour.

“I take the opportunity to congratulate Mark Bunn because if he wouldn’t have saved the penalty it would have been too hard for us to turn it around at 2-0 down”, said Garde.

“We have to keep this confidence”.