Aston Villa vs. Bolton Wanderers

Five different players were on the scoresheet for Martin O'Neill's side as they dispatched of a Bolton outfit that looked bereft of confidence at the back.

Ashley Young opened the scoring from close range early on before Gabriel Agbonlahor slammed home a second.

Johan Elmander tapped in to reduce the deficit but a fine individual goal from John Carew made the game safe.

James Milner then slotted home the rebound after missing a penalty and Carlos Cuellar headed his first Villa goal as the hosts totally dominated.

The Lancashire side had conceded four goals on their last two visits to Villa Park and though their manager Gary Megson had called for a display of resolute defending, his players mustered only further incompetence by going one better, or worse, during this latest trip to the West Midlands. Villa looked lively and full of positive intent after collecting only two points from their previous three games.

Carew out-muscled Cahill and powered a header at goal and although Jaaskelainen saved well low to his left he could only parry the ball into the path of the advancing Young who smashed high into the net.

Megson's side did force their way back into the game - in no small part thanks to tireless efforts from Fabrice Muamba in midfield and Kevin Davies in attack.

It was against the run of play when Elmander reduced the arrears in the 45th minute after what appeared to be a harsh free-kick awarded against Agbonlahor.

Cahill got well forward and struck the post with his shot but Elmander was on hand to bundle the rebound over the line.

Cahill was booked in first half injury-time for a foul on Carew.

Villa were well worth their two-goal lead, but let themselves down by conceding just before the break as Bolton valiantly hit back.

Carew had plenty of work to do when Milner played the ball into his feet but he shrugged off the challenge of Knight and nutmegged Cahill before clipping his shot into the corner of the net.

It was the third goal of the campaign for the former Lyon striker.

Villa were now back in full control and after 72 minutes Milner made it 4-1 after Carew had been pulled back in the penalty area by Davies.

Milner took the spot-kick himself and saw his shot saved by Jaaskelainen. Agbonlahor hit the rebound against a post - but the ball fell into the path of Milner, who then made no mistake.

As the home team passed the ball around contemptuously, they applied a final insult to Bolton's passive defending when Carlos Cuellar's glanced header found the back of the net 14 minutes from time.