Hibernian 0-5 Aston Villa

Aston Villa took charge of their Europa Conference League play-off tie against Hibernian with a ruthless display in the first leg at Easter Road on Wednesday night.

The visiting Villans were in fine form on their return to European competition after a 13-year absence, breaking the deadlock via Ollie Watkins’ header after 17 minutes.

Villa’s talisman netted again before Leon Bailey made it 3-0 shortly before half-time.

Lucas Digne, who provided three assists on the night, teed up Watkins for his hat-trick in the second half before Douglas Luiz scored a penalty for the second game running.

The victory, which was the club’s biggest away win in Europe, sets Villa up nicely heading into the second leg at Villa Park next Thursday.

Unai Emery made one change from Sunday’s thumping of Everton, bringing Diego Carlos in for Matty Cash, meaning the Brazilian partnered Pau Torres at centre-back and Ezri Konsa moved to right-back.

Hibernian set-up to play on the counter-attack and tasked Villa with breaking them down, and after a couple of promising moves the visitors found a way past David Marshall on 17 minutes.

Digne delivered an inviting cross into the middle of the box, where Watkins rose between two defenders and guided the ball into the far corner.

The striker’s first goal of the season should have been quickly followed by his second minutes later, but he headed John McGinn’s cross over the bar from close-range.

Villa were utilising both sides of the pitch to great effect and when Bailey picked the ball up on the right-hand side, he skillfully jinked his way into the box and unleashed a drive that was tipped over by Marshall.

The reprieve was a short one for the hosts, who fell two goals behind when a corner resulted in Watkins heading home at the back post following Carlos’ flick-on.

Villa’s third goal of the night arrived three minutes before the break – also via a header – when another pinpoint delivery from Digne, who stood the ball up from the byline, was met by Bailey.

There was still time for the rampant Villans to go close to a fourth in the first half, with Watkins sliding a shot inches wide after being released by Bailey’s lofted through ball.

Robin Olsen replaced Emi Martinez at the break and was immediately called into action as Hibs enjoyed their best spell of the game, tipping Élie Youan’s shot over the bar.

However, the visitors were quickly back in the ascendency, scoring their fourth when Watkins ruthlessly finished Digne’s low centre. The linesman raised his flag to disallow the goal, but a VAR check confirmed the England international’s hat-trick.

Jhon Duran, Youri Tielemans and Bertrand Traore were sent on midway through the half, and the latter made a telling contribution when he drew a Hibs defended into a mistimed slide tackle in the box.

The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, leaving Luiz to send Marshall the wrong way following his stuttering run up.

A lively cameo from Traore was almost capped with a goal when the Burkina Faso winger left two defenders on the turf after chopping onto his right foot and saw his effort blocked by Marshall.

The final whistle was greeted with jubilation by the vocal claret and blue travelling contingent.