The hosts, which were knocked out of this season's European competition despite a spirited effort against paris Saint-Germain last week, thoroughly deserved their victory at Villa Park, where they led within 33 seconds.

Ollie Watkins's low strike deflected off Fabian Schar to wrong-foot Nick Pope, and the Villa striker could have had a perfect hat-trick before half-time.

However, he twice rattled the woodwork – once with a powerful left-footed shot and again with a bullet header – with those chances coming either side of Schar's headed equaliser.

Villa continued to carry the greater threat and pulled clear after Watkins teed up Ian Maatsen for his first Premier League goal after the interval.

Dan Burn then turned Jacob Ramsey's low cross into his own net as Unai Emery's substitutions tilted a one-sided affair further, and Amadou Onana made the points safe with a rasping finish with 15 minutes to play.

With Chelsea not in action until Monday (AEST) and Nottingham Forest visiting Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday (AEST)a day later, Villa climbed to sixth on the Premier League table with 57 points.

It is only behind fifth-placed Forest on goal difference, with Newcastle, which was again led by Jason Tindall in Eddie Howe's absence, stays third with 59 point.

Watkins could not hide his frustration at not playing a bigger part against PSG, but he was determined to use it to his advantage.

"I played 20 minutes against PSG in both games," he said. "I am not going to lie, I was fuming that I wasn't playing.

"I let him [Emery] know that. He’s the manager, at the end of the day, you have to respect his decision.

"I am not one of these players that is happy to sit on the bench. [It was] something I have not experienced before, and to miss out on the biggest stage.

"I think me and a few others were disappointed that we didn’t start the game, but it was the manager's decision.

"The team played well, but I wanted to be out on the pitch for much longer. I have played a big part to get to where we are today, and I want to play in those games.

"You have got to use that as motivation rather than let it hinder you."

"We are doing unbelievable now, and we have a great home run," Watkins added. "We have to keep winning these games.

"We have got to win all the games in front of us and win that Champions League spot.”

Meanwhile, Emery praised his players for their determination to bounce back from the disappointment of the Champions League exit.

"We have to feel angry when we are not winning," he said. 

"Of course, we enjoyed the [UEFA] Champions League. We have to be proud of our effort, but we lost. Always when you lose, you have to be angry and respond.

"[I am] very proud of how the players responded. At Villa Park, we feel so strong with our supporters. [There is a] good, positive energy and now we are competing.

"We have to focus clearly on each match, each moment and be like today. I'm so happy with how we responded, but now my thoughts are on the Manchester City match on Tuesday [Wednesday AEST]."