Leicester City took another decisive step towards a top-four finish with an impressive 2-0 victory over European-football chasing Sheffield United at the King Power Stadium on Thursday.

The Foxes had Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi on from the start while teammate and compatriot Kelechi Iheanacho was an unused sub.

Spaniard Ayoze Perez scored off debutant Luke Thomas’ assist to open the scoring minutes before halftime.

Jamie Vardy hit the post soon after the break and Harvey Barnes twice forced Dean Henderson into good saves as the Foxes looked to extend their lead.

But Demarai Gray put the game beyond the Blades late on with a well-taken low finish from Vardy’s assist.

Victory moves the Foxes three points above Manchester United, who play later on Thursday, while Sheffield United remain eighth.

Elsewhere, Alex Iwobi’s Everton snatched a late equaliser through Theo Walcott’s 87th-minute goal to crush the hopes of relegation-threatened Aston Villa at Goodison Park.

Iwobi was restored to the starting lineup after being relegated to the bench in the 3-0 loss at Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out.

An uneventful first-half ended with both teams level but Villa raised hopes of a late assault on their topflight survival when Ezri Konsa’s first Premier League goal looked to have earned them a crucial win.

But substitute Walcott equalised with three minutes of regular time left to nudge Aston Villa closer to relegation.

Villa, who were seven points from safety before Sunday’s win over Crystal Palace, remain 19th in the table, three points from safety with just two games of the league season left.

They face Arsenal at home next Tuesday before finishing the season at fellow strugglers West Ham.