Janice Cayman scored twice to boost Leicester's chances of survival in the Women's Super League as they claimed a 3-0 win over relegation rivals Aston Villa.

Leicester started the day a point below Villa, but the victory sees the two teams switch places, with the Foxes moving to 10th in the table - six points clear of bottom-placed Crystal Palace.

In an end-to-end first half, Cayman slotted past Sabrina D'Angelo in the 29th minute after running onto Sophie Howard's dinked ball over Villa's backline.

The Foxes skipper doubled the hosts' lead after the break with a stunning volley, before Julie Thibaud headed home from close range a minute later.

The victory is Leicester's third in the league this season, while Villa are searching for their first WSL win under new manager Natalia Arroyo.

The club, who finished fifth just two seasons ago, remain in a perilous position with only four points separating them from Palace in the relegation place.

Arroyo will hope her side improve before they face ninth-placed Everton and Palace next - games that could prove crucial in their fight for WSL survival.

Leicester had scored just six goals in their previous 13 WSL games before Sunday's outing at King Power Stadium.

The club have struggled with injuries to their attacking players this season, and their top two scorers from last season - Jutta Rantala and Lena Petermann - have been unavailable since October and November respectively.

Summer g Noemie Mouchon was also ruled out for the rest of the 2024-25 campaign after she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in October.

But against Villa, Amandine Miquel's side put their attacking woes behind them, with captain Cayman stepping up to pull the club away from trouble.

And there were more positives for the Foxes as January arrival Hlin Eiriksdottir proved a major threat in the first half. However, a decision to square a instead of shoot, along with a skewed volley, stopped the Iceland striker from getting on the scoresheet.

Leicester also had a goal ruled out as substitute Yuka Momiki, who came on to replace the injured Sam Tierney, was adjudged to have fouled Noelle Maritz in the build-up before she poked in.

Villa enjoyed over 70% of possession, but they lacked the clinical edge that had seen them move past Brighton in a 3-2 FA Cup win last week.

Katie Robinson was denied by the woodwork in the first half, while Chastity Grant and Kirsty Hanson blazed efforts over the crossbar as Villa desperately searched for a way back after Thibaud's third.