Aston Villa looked a different side in their first game after Steven Gerrard’s sacking with Danny Ings twice on target in a 4-0 thrashing of Brentford at Villa Park.
Having scored only once in their final four games under Gerrard, Villa raced into a 3-0 lead under caretaker manager Aaron Danks inside 15 minutes against a shellshocked Brentford, with Leon Bailey setting them on their way from a corner after barely 60 seconds.
He then turned provider to tee up Ings for a smart near-post finish (7) before Tyrone Mings was hauled down by Kristoffer Ajer and the Villa striker added their third from 12 yards. Less than 72 hours after Gerrard’s departure, Villa’s turnaround could not have been more instantaneous.
Douglas Luiz almost made it four direct from a corner before the break but Ollie Watkins did add to the jubilant atmosphere around Villa Park after it, firing home at the third attempt after he had twice been denied by the post and David Raya.
Brentford’s best effort came through Bryan Mbeumo, who missed an open goal when sidefooting a rebound wide from six yards, but they were soundly beaten by four goals for the second away game in succession, while Villa eased their relegation worries with a first win in five matches.