Aston Villa 6 Portsmouth 1
Kevin MacDonald’s young charges were now in complete control and when the Pompey defence only half cleared in the 44th minute Hogg unleashed a stunning 30-yard volley which dipped viciously over O’Brien and almost broke the back of the net.
As the first half went into added time Bannan sent over another penetrative free-kick which Lichaj headed powerfully home to increase the lead.
Pompey came out fighting after the interval and Paris Cowan Hall reduced the arrears in the 49th minute when Ryan Woodford headed back a free-kick by Gautier Mahoto.
Any hopes the visitors had of getting back into it were squashed in the 58th minute as Villa notched another fine goal.
Lowry crossed from the left and Weimann beat the luckless O’Brien with a superbly placed header from distance.
It became a Villa masterclass as the league leaders piled on the pressure and Hogg’s neat close range header from Nicky Shorey’s 71st-minute cross extended the lead.
With two minutes to go substitute Gary Gardner, younger brother of senior squad man Craig, completed the scoring with a sweet shot from the unselfish Nathan Delfouneso, who might have had a shy himself.
VILLA (4-4-2): Taylor; Lichaj, Clark, Lowry (Blythe 84), Shorey; Albrighton, Hogg, Bannan, Hofbauer (G Gardner 69); Weimann (Collins 72), Delfouneso. Not used: Parish (GK), Roome.
