Vardy back among goals as Leicester thump Aston Villa 4-0

Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy scored twice as they returned to winning ways with a 4-0 drubbing of English Premier League (EPL) strugglers Aston Villa at the King Power Stadium on Monday.

Leicester’s goal-machine Vardy had not found the net since Dec. 21 but he ended his long scoring drought with two goals after coming off the bench.

He converted a penalty kick just past the hour to double Leicester’s lead shortly after replacing Kelechi Iheanacho, and after Harvey Barnes had opened the scoring before half-time.

Vardy struck again after 79 minutes to take his league tally to 19 for the season before Barnes claimed his second to make it a miserable night for Leicester’s Midlands rivals Aston Villa.

It was the Foxes first win in five league games, ending a slump that had put their top-four place in peril.

Third-placed Leicester City began the night only five points above fifth-placed Manchester United but the victory means they have re-established a healthy gap.

Leicester City have 53 points from 29 games, Chelsea have 48 and Manchester United 45.

All have nine games remaining.

Dean Smith’s Aston Villa remain second from bottom, two points below the safety line with 25 points and a game in hand.