Aston Villa hit seven goals past champions Liverpool as they emphatically made it three wins from three in the Premier League with a stunning 7-2 victory at Villa Park.
Ollie Watkins’ perfect hat-trick and John McGinn’s deflected volley left Jurgen Klopp and his side, who scored through Mohamed Salah’s 100th goal in English football, stunned and 4-1 down at the break, and it could have been more had Ross Barkley converted any of his three golden opportunities.
Dean Smith’s side continued to cut through a shell-shocked Liverpool in the second half as deflected goals from Barkley and Jack Grealish further extended their lead.
Klopp’s side did net another goal, again from Salah, but it was the hosts who completed the scoring, on what was a magical evening, as captain Grealish added a seventh.
It is the first time Liverpool, who produced “one of the worst defensive performances I’ve ever seen!”, according to Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher, have conceded seven goals since a 7-2 league defeat at Tottenham in April 1963. They are down to fifth after their own perfect start to the season was ended in remarkable fashion.
Meanwhile, Villa, who have a game in hand, are up to second in the table on goal difference as we move into the international break.