A goal in each half saw Villa comfortably home to three more points as the claret and blues bounced back from their Europa League against Fulham.

Their cause was helped considerably with Fulham defender John Pantsil bundling the ball into his own net in the third minute, leaving the Cottagers chasing the game, and there was no way back from Gabby Agbonlahor’s first goal of the season after the break.

The England international was first to James Milner’s pass and slammed the ball into the bottom right corner in the 59th minute.

It was also a special day for 19-year-old Ciaran Clark, who made his full debut in defence after coming through the youth ranks at Villa Park.

But new £7million man Stephen Warnock was only an unused sub.