Aston Villa 6 Sunderland 1 - match report

The Belgian's second-half treble added to Ron Vlaar's first Villa goal and Andi Weimann's classy finish.

Gabby Agbonlahor rounded off the rout with three minutes left to become the club's record Premier League scorer with 61 goals.

Danny Rose had briefly drawn Sunderland level in a blistering spell of three goals in seven first-half minutes.

An action-packed game also saw Stephane Sessegnon controversially red carded for a challenge on Yacouba Sylla.

It lifted Villa five points above the drop zone and third bottom Wigan, although the Latics have a game in hand, but crucially overhauled Newcastle and Wigan's goal difference advantage.

Sylla replaced Charles N'Zogbia, who dropped to the bench in the only change from the 3-0 defeat at Manchester United.

Sunderland included ex-Villains Carlos Cuellar, Phil Bardsley and Craig Gardner as they hunted a third straight win.

And the Black Cats opened well as Gardner beat Brad Guzan to the ball only for Nathan Baker to hack his cross behind after just seven minutes.

Anxiety was palpable around Villa Park as Sunderland pressed early but the hosts slowly fought their way back and began to carve openings.

Agbonlahor was inches away after 26 minutes when he swapped slick passes with Benteke, burst into the area but steered his shot wide from eight yards.

It was a wonderful chance but Villa Park erupted five minutes to spark a stunning blast of three goals in seven minutes.

Sunderland failed to clear Agbonlahor's cross and when Ashley Westwood's strike deflected away Vlaar steamed onto the ball 30 yards to fire a rocket into the bottom corner.

But Villa's euphoria lasted just two minutes though when Rose levelled after latching onto Danny Graham's pass and sweeping into the corner.

If it rocked Villa they showed no signs and regained the lead on 38 minutes with an outstanding goal after wonderful work by Matt Lowton.

He intercepted Gardner's crossfield ball and raced down the right before spraying a fine ball to the unmarked Weimann who took a touch and curled in from 15-yards.

Adam Johnson shot over and Gardner had the ball in the net two minutes before the break but it was ruled out for Graham's foul on Guzan as the drama continued.

There was no let-up after the break and Villa extended their when Benteke made it 3-1 on 55 minutes.

Agbonlahor's brilliant twisting run on the edge of the box ended with Mignolet palming his drive out to Benteke who headed in from six yards.

And it was pandemonium three minutes later when Benteke grabbed his second to make it 4-1 as he headed in at the far post from Westwood's corner.

Sunderland had collapsed and Carlos Cuellar cleared off the line to stop Weimann making it five – after Mignolet had already denied him – with 24 minutes left.

The visitors' night then got even worse when Sessegnon was dismissed for a challenge on Sylla with 20 minutes to go.

And 90 second later Benteke completed his-trick when Agbonlahor fed him and he beat Mignolet at his near post.

And Villa added a stunning sixth with three minutes left when Agbonlahor raced onto David Vaughan's shocking pass to skip past Mignolet and tap in.