Villa put five past Bolton

Aston Villa eased to a 5-1 victory over Bolton in the Barclays Premier League match at Villa Park.

Ashley Young gave Villa a fifth-minute lead and Gabriel Agbonlahor doubled the lead two minutes before the break, only for substitute Johan Elmander to reduce the deficit two minutes later.

However, second-half goals from John Carew (53), James Milner (72) and Carlos Cuellar (75) made it a comfortable win for Martin O'Neill's men.

The home side went ahead after five minutes when Young netted after goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen had parried Carew's effort.

Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel kept out a header from Gary Cahill before Bolton midfielder Tamir Cohen limped off, to be replaced by Elmander.

Villa doubled their lead after 43 minutes. Cahill tried to shepherd the ball out for a goal-kick but Carew raced past him and cut the ball back to Gabriel Agbonlahor, who took the chance.

It was against the run of play when Elmander reduced the arrears in the 45th minute after what appeared to be a harsh free-kick awarded against Agbonlahor. Cahill got well forward and struck the post with his shot but Elmander was on hand to bundle the rebound over the line.

Carew got on the scoresheet after 53 minutes to re-establish Villa's two-goal advantage. He had plenty to do when James Milner played the ball into his feet but he shrugged off the challenge of Zat Knight and nutmegged Cahill before clipping his shot into the corner of the net.

After 72 minutes Milner made it 4-1 after Carew had been pulled back in the penalty area by Kevin Davies. Milner took the spot-kick himself and saw his shot saved by Jaaskelainen. Agbonlahor hit the rebound against a post - but the ball fell into the path of Milner, who then made no mistake.

Three minutes later Villa completed their nap hand when Cuellar headed home from Milner's centre.