Cameron Archer bagged a hat-trick as Aston Villa came from two goals down to secure an impressive 4-2 triumph at Burton Albion and book their place in the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy.
The Young Lions found themselves on the back foot midway through the first half at the Pirelli Stadium as the Brewers scored twice in four minutes courtesy of Daniel Jebbison and Kane Hemmings.
But Archer reduced the arrears with his first of the night prior to the break before Tristan Goodridge levelled matters in the 51st minute.
Two further super finishes from Archer in the second half completed his treble and ensured a youthful Villa side saw off their strong League One hosts amid torrential rain, much to the delight of hundreds of travelling Villa faithful.
Having seen off Wycombe Wanderers in their first Southern Group C fixture, Villa now have a maximum six points and top the table ahead of their final fixture against MK Dons.
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Villa started brightly and matched their hosts although it was the Brewers who were posing the greater threat in the attacking third, captain Hemmings going close with a low strike from distance after nine minutes.
Albion were starting to turn the screw and got the breakthrough as Conor Shaughnessy’s header from Joe Powell’s corner rebounded off the inside of the far post and Jebbison was on hand to tap home from close range.
Omari Patrick tested Oliwier Zych from distance before Burton grabbed a quickfire second from another corner, Hemmings converting Powell’s fine inswinging delivery from merely yards out.
Zych had to be alert to parry Powell‘s stinging drive to safety moments later before Lamare Bogarde put in a superb last-ditch challenge to deny Jacob Maddox.
Villa were showing signs of promise and Hayden Lindley’s corner was deflected narrowly wide for another set-piece, from which Villa gave themselves hope in the 35th minute.
The ball was recycled to Archer, who duly drilled home low into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.
The hosts came close to restoring their two-goal advantage before the break but Shaughnessy poked wide from close range.
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And Villa were level within six minutes of the restart, Caleb Chukwuemeka driving into the penalty area and pulling the ball back for Goodridge, who duly converted with a neat finish.
Zych saved well from Maddox before Josh Feeney denied Jebbison from the rebound, and Villa were soon in front just after the hour mark, Goodridge finding Archer and he drilled home.
And Archer’s hat-trick was complete 10 minutes later, Chukwuemeka the provider again as the frontman fired beyond a helpless Ellery Balcombe.
Both sides had chances to add to the scoring, Zych tipping over from Albion substitute Aaron Amadi-Holloway, as Villa emerged triumphant from a six-goal thriller.
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Villa: Zych, Ealing, Bogarde, Feeney, Swinkels, Hart (Thorndike 57), Lindley, Iroegbunam, Goodridge (Patterson 90), Caleb Chukwuemeka, Archer (Reddin 83).
Subs: Wright, Zito, Alcock, T O'Reilly.