Aston Villa 7-2 Liverpool

Ollie Watkins bagged a first-half hat-trick as sensational Aston Villa claimed a stunning 7-2 victory over reigning Premier League champions Liverpool.

Clinical Villa were scintillating as they registered a truly memorable triumph in what was a pulsating encounter.

Captain Jack Grealish bagged a second-half brace while new loan signing Ross Barkley and John McGinn also got in on the act as Villa, who led 4-1 at the interval, started a league campaign with three successive wins for the first time since 1962/63.

Watkins, who bagged a perfect treble to register his first league goals for the club, sent an effort against the crossbar late on as the rampant Villans reached seventh heaven against the Reds, for whom Mohamed Salah scored twice.

The incredible night at Villa Park, which saw Liverpool claim 69% possession, will live long in the memory of supporters as Dean Smith’s side made it seven league games unbeaten stretching back to July, with the club winning three Premier League games in a row for the first time since 2010.

Villa now head into the international break on the back of scoring seven goals in a game for the first time since 1995.

Barkley was handed his debut as head coach Smith made one change to his starting XI from the club’s opening two league fixtures, with Conor Hourihane among the substitutes.

And in-form Villa continued where they left off against Sheffield United and Fulham – making a flying start as Watkins opened the scoring with just four minutes on the clock.

Adrian’s wayward pass failed to find Joe Gomez inside his own penalty area and Grealish pounced on the mistake, picking up possession and feeding an unmarked Watkins, who slotted home from six yards.

Barkley came close to adding a second just minutes later after a sweeping move, while Emi Martinez saved well from Roberto Firmino at the other end.

Martinez had to be alert to again save from Firmino in the 21^st minute as an enthralling game flowed from end to end.

And it was Villa who doubled their advantage shortly afterwards, Watkins with a surging run down the left before cutting inside Gomez in the area and firing a superb finish into the top corner.

Martinez tipped over from Diogo Jota and Barkley sent another clear-cut opening just wide of a post, before the visitors reduced the arrears courtesy of Salah’s drilled finish from 12 yards.

Barkley again worked an opportunity, his near-post shot saved by Adrian and, from the resulting corner, the Reds could only clear to the edge of the area where McGinn was on hand to drill home a superb volley, which deflected off Virgil van Dijk, to make it 3-1.

But Villa were not done there as Watkins completed his hat-trick in the 39^th minute, heading home at the far post after Trezeguet had beaten the offside trap to get on the end of Barkley’s free-kick and send a cross into the danger area.

Martinez saved from Andy Robertson’s powerful drive but it was Villa who held a stunning 4-1 lead at the interval.

And it was 5-1 within 10 minutes of the restart as Barkley got the goal he deserved, exchanging passes with Grealish before seeing his long-range strike deflect off Trent Alexander-Arnold and loop over Adrian.

Salah claimed his second of the night courtesy of a smart left-footed finish with 30 minutes still to play. And there was time for plenty more excitement.

Grealish deservedly got his name on the scoresheet when his strike cannoned off Fabinho, making it 6-2.

And he bagged his second of the night in the 75^th minute when he was sent racing clean through and he dinked a smart finish past Adrain at his near post – sending Villa into dreamland.

Watkins, who had earlier been denied when he went clear, then sent an effort against the crossbar as Villa continued to chase further reward.

But the full-time whistle signalled the end of a famous night for the club which will live long in the memory.

Villa: Martinez, Cash (Elmohamady 80), Konsa, Mings, Targett, Trezeguet (Traore 87), Luiz (Nakamba 80), McGinn, Barkley, Watkins, Grealish (c).

Subs: Steer, Hourihane, El Ghazi, Davis.