Substitute Jamie Vardy replaced Kelechi Iheanacho and ended his nine-game goal drought with a brace in Leicester City’s well-deserved win over Aston Villa.

Harvey Barnes took advantage of Villa’s keeper Pepe Reina’s ill-thought decision to run out of his box to put the Foxes ahead in the first half.

Vardy’s first touch on coming in was to score a penalty after Tyrone Mings’ handball before he completed his brace with a fiery shot that beat Reina at his near post.

Barnes’ second came from a Marc Albrighton cross and gave a shine to the scoreline that mirrored Leceister’s performance.

It was third-placed Leicester’s first win in five Premier League games and Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi provided the basis from midfield for the Foxes to overrun Villa.

The result boosts Leicester’s Champions League chances, with the 2016 title-winners sitting eight points above fifth-placed Manchester United with nine matches remaining.Le

Dean Smith’s side remain in the relegation zone after suffering a fifth consecutive defeat in all competitions.