The home side broke the deadlock midway through the first period after a passing spell led to Ayoze Perez firing into the corner after a pull back by teenager Luke Thomas – playing on his debut.
Goals from Perez and Gray earn Foxes 2-0 win, while relegation threatened Villa concede late equaliser at Everton.
Leicester reignited their hopes for a Champions League place with a 2-0 win against Sheffield United, who themselves missed the chance to go into sixth.
The Foxes needed a reaction after a disastrous second-half collapse against Bournemouth on Sunday and looked much improved from the get-go, with Ayoze Perez turning home from teenage debutant Luke Thomas’ cross in the 29th minute.
Blades goalkeeper Dean Henderson made a string of second-half saves but was unable to keep out substitute Demarai Gray (79), who hit a low effort home to see Leicester pull three points clear of Manchester United in fifth ahead of their game against Crystal Palace later on Thursday.
