Aston Villa rout champions Liverpool with a stunning 7-2 victory at Villa Park registering three wins from three in the Premier League.
Ollie Watkins’ perfect hat-trick and John McGinn’s deflected volley ripped apart Jurgen Klopp and his side, who scored through Mohamed Salah’s 100th goal in English football. Liverpool were left stunned and 4-1 down at the break. It could have been more had Ross Barkley converted any of his three golden chances.
Dean Smith’s squad continued to cut through an astounded Liverpool in the second half as deflected goals from Barkley and Jack Grealish further rampaged Liverpool.
Liverpool did net another goal, again from Salah. However, the hosts completed the scoring, on what was a magical evening, as captain Grealish added a seventh one to his tally.
For Liverpool, this is the first time they have produced one of the worst defensive performances ever. They have conceded seven goals since a 7-2 league defeat at Tottenham in April 1963. They are now down to fifth after their own perfect start to the season was ended in remarkable fashion.
Meanwhile, Villa, who have a game to come, are up to second in the table on goal difference as everyone is heading to an international break.
Villa never looked back after they took the lead in the fourth minute. Grealish pounced upon Adrian’s horrible pass before squaring to Watkins, who had a simple finish for his first Premier League goal.
It could have been even worse for Liverpool as Villa continued to cut them to shreds, capitalizing on their high defensive line, but Barkley squandered two glorious chances with the goal at his mercy.
Liverpool did eventually pull a goal back through Salah’s exquisite 33rd-minute finish, but the expected comeback from the champions never happened.
