A brace each from the returning Jamie Vardy and winger Harvey Barnes put Aston Villa to the sword as Leicester ran out 4-0 winners in the Premier League on Monday night.
Barnes capitalised on Villa keeper Pepe Reina's mistake to give the Foxes the lead and then it became the Vardy show as the striker scored his first goals of 2020.
4️⃣-0️⃣ to Leicester City! #LeiAvl pic.twitter.com/p1LtmhWxLL
— Leicester City (@LCFC) March 9, 2020
The first, he converted from the spot following a debatable penalty award by VAR. The second, a ruthless finish to which we have become accustomed to seeing from Vardy over the years.
And there was still time for Barnes to score his second with a lovely curling finish into the bottom corner to cap a very impressive display from the Foxes winger.
It was a night to remember for those from the East Midlands, less so for those of a claret and blue persuasion.
Let's see how Twitter reacted to an absolute masterclass from the Foxes...
The big question prior to kick-off was whether Leicester City hotshot Jamie Vardy would be fit, the answer... yes but he would only feature as an impact sub.
And many were quick to point out striker Kelechi Iheanacho's impressive recent record against Villa - he'd scored in all three of this season's previous encounters between the two.
Iheanacho has been directly involved in 8 goals in his last 5 games against Aston Villa - Can he continue that hot streak today? #LEIAVL https://t.co/LUOUKLQ4S4
— 90min (@90min_Football) March 9, 2020
No Jamie Vardy in #Leicester starting XI. But his deputy Iheanacho has been on He’s scored in every game v #AstonVilla this season. Same again tonight? #LEIAVL
— Katie Shanahan (@KatieShanahan3) March 9, 2020
Iheanacho to get his usual goal against villa today
— Zo✨ (@ZoeShemmans_x) March 9, 2020
But the first real chance of the game fell to Leicester centre-half Jonny Evans but his header was beaten away by the recalled Pepe Reina in the Villa net.
With fans feeling the former Man Utd defender could have done better...
Jonny Evans mate how have you missed that
— SweetLukeO’niennnn (@jacobcunliffe10) March 9, 2020
10' SO CLOSE! Maddison swings the corner in , Jonny Evans is as free as bird at the near post, it's right at Pepe Reina though and the opportunity goes begging #LEIAVL 力0-0
— Portion Of Sport (@PortionOfSport_) March 9, 2020
Soyuncu was the next Foxes defender to fail to punish Villa's sloppy defending from set pieces, heading a free header harmlessly over...
#AVFC have conceded the most goals from corners in the PL this season.
— Gregg Evans (@greggevans40) March 9, 2020
Already they've allowed both Evans and Soyuncu free headers from corners.
Very lucky not to be behind. #LCFC
Really poor marking from Aston Villa at set pieces so far. Evans and Soyuncu both should have scored - would have been two assists for Maddison had they done so! #FPL #FantasyPL #LEIAVL
— David Munday (@DavidMunday815) March 9, 2020
After a robust challenge from the returning Wilfred Ndidi, Jack Grealish feeling the full force, a debate sparked around the Villa skipper's famously small shinpads...
Jack Grealish's shin pads - do they exist? If so, how small are they??#LEIAVL
— James Dodd (@JamesDoddFOX) March 9, 2020
It’s almost as if Grealish is asking to get kicked in the shins with how small his shin pads are #LEIAVL
— ella (@nufcfootballl) March 9, 2020
for someone who gets fouled a lot you’d think jack grealish would wear some bigger shin pads wouldn’t you?
— DLPRegista (@DLPRegista) March 9, 2020
It was becoming a common trend, Villa looking absent at the back but Leicester letting them get away scot free, this time Iheaneacho was the culprit.
Huge chance for Iheanacho! That should be 1-0. Goes wide from a great position. It's been a decent few minutes but we need to be more clinical #LCFC #LEIAVL
— LCFCFoxes.com (@LCFCFoxes_com) March 9, 2020
Tough moment for Iheanacho fan boys that. Shocking miss #LEIAVL
— gbsct慄♂️ (44-18)練 (@IcarusKaan) March 9, 2020
Then when it looked like the first half would be a story of wasted chances for the home side, a moment of madness from Reina and the deadlock was finally broken
The Spaniard dashed out of his goal only for Barnes to beat him to the ball, nick it past him and finish past the despairing lunges of Villa defenders... 1-0 Leicester!
Pepe Reina still running out for that ball. . .
— 90min (@90min_Football) March 9, 2020
A golden opportunity for Harvey Barnes to give Leicester the lead which he duly delivered!#LEIAVL pic.twitter.com/DQU2HE8Hnm
Great finish from @harveybarnes97 and very considerate of Pepe Reina to help.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 9, 2020
Pepe Reina is just a Bald Jordan Pickford
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) March 9, 2020
And some eagle-eyed viewer alerted us to this rather alarming fact...
Pepe Reina has not been in his penalty box for the last two goals he has conceded.
— Richard Jolly (@RichJolly) March 9, 2020
1-0 to the hosts at half-time, and they should have doubled their lead immediately after half-time, but again Iheaneacho lacked a cutting edge in front of goal... leaving spectators exasperated.
I remember when I thought Iheanacho was better than Rashford! #LEIAVL
— Mark Cox (@Coxy_1987) March 9, 2020
Kelechi Iheanacho needs to get back to the training ground...
— Will 力 (@TheTielemen) March 9, 2020
With the Foxes pressing for another goal, Villa were in disarray at the back and Mings threw himself at the ball in a very uncompromising way in the box... cue VAR check
Mings was adjudged to have used his arm, not a clear cut decision and there was much debate over the award of the penalty
I can’t believe that handball decision hasn’t been overturned! #var #LEIAVL
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) March 9, 2020
Coming from an @AVFCOfficial fan that's a penalty. Tyrone Mings's arm redirects the ball away from Jamie Vardy, so a penalty being given was the right decision, @SkyBetChamp awaits Aston Villa next season #Championship #PremierLeague #EPL
— Christopher Heath (@Heathy_25) March 9, 2020
Stupid action by Mings in the box but never a penalty after seeing VAR. #LEIAVL if anything a risky but great touch deflecting the ball away from Vardy!
— Amy Bulloch (@_bull14) March 9, 2020
Tell you what, that’s never a penalty!! Clearly comes off his shoulder, Jamie vardy however, masterclass! His journey is truly unbelievable..
— Chris Tucker (@Kingtucks1874) March 9, 2020
But there was no question over the outcome, up stepped Vardy, and bang! Goal drought over
5⃣9⃣th minute: Subbed on
— Premier League USA (@PLinUSA) March 9, 2020
6⃣3⃣rd minute: Converts penalty
The Vardy Party is back! pic.twitter.com/ZWNdhVwqvA
VARDY GOAL !!! Scores the penalty which again Villa pressing the self destruct button !! 2-0 Leicester !!
— Leicester Fan Tv (@LeicesterFanTV) March 9, 2020
And just when Villa are thinking, well we've got a handle on Iheanacho...
— gbeng 力 Glenn the Foxile 力 (@gloriousglenn) March 9, 2020
Sub...
Vardy on...
Penalty...
Vardy Goal...
2-0 #LCFC pic.twitter.com/6zGWjQdEG5
And it wasn't long before the former England striker helped himself to another goal... 17 minutes later to be precise.
Jamie Vardy penalty, then ruthless finish. Off the bench, back on form. 3-0 #lcfc
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) March 9, 2020
Jamie Vardy is back....up to 99 goals now#lcfc#3-0
— Adam LCFC Poole (@adampoole68) March 9, 2020
Extraordinary the difference he makes to this Leicester City side. Jamie Vardy has his second of the evening from the substitutes bench and the Foxes are cruising to three points at the King Power stadium; its now 3-0.#LEIAVL. https://t.co/jNfHgJeMIp
— Josh Slack (@JoshSlackSport) March 9, 2020
The game was over as a contest but Leicester weren't in a forgiving mood and it was soon four with Barnes grabbing his second of the night.
It was a very impressive night for the youngster.
Harvey Barnes now has 7 goals and 7 assists in all competitions this season
— Lennon Veasey 拾 (@Foxyproxy1313) March 9, 2020
One of our own pic.twitter.com/FcXzubO5JW
If Harvey Barnes was Brazilian and called Barnesinho the whole world would he raving about him.
— Deluded Brendan (@DeludedBrendan) March 9, 2020
He's one of the best wingers I've ever managed. I can't wait to see him tearing the likes of Juventus and Barcelona apart next season in the Champions League.
WHAT. A. PERFORMANCE!
— Live Sports Hero (@LiveSportsHero1) March 9, 2020
Harvey Barnes
2️⃣ Goals
1️⃣ Assist
Aston villa simply showing No Fight Tonight, Disappointing performance.
Leicester City - 4 Aston Villa - 0 (FT) #LEIAVL pic.twitter.com/H7TVPFkJT1
And that was that on an emphatic night for those wearing blue... and all the plaudits were directed at two players in particular
A Barnestorming performance!#LEIAVL pic.twitter.com/GOqiKqDagq
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) March 9, 2020
One Jamie Vardy 力
— Lennon Veasey 拾 (@Foxyproxy1313) March 9, 2020
300 LCFC appearances
127 goals ⚽️
38 assists pic.twitter.com/XpYtgdJhZg
Source : 90min