The Villans were in complete control throughout and thoroughly merited such a convincing victory on the night.
Ollie Watkins notched a hat-trick, Leon Bailey was on target too and Douglas Luiz added a fifth from the penalty spot.
The game marked Lee Johnson’s 500th competitive match in management and he made five changes following our weekend win over Raith Rovers in the Viaplay Cup.
Lewis Miller, Will Fish, Lewis Stevenson, Joe Newell and Dylan Vente all returned to starting XI having been rested three days prior.
Villa, in Europe for the first time in a decade and looking to go deep in the competition, went with a strong side and Unai Emery made just one change from their weekend win over Everton - Polish international Matty Cash replaced by Diego Carlos.
The atmosphere ahead of kick-off was white-hot as Paul Hanlon and John McGinn led their respective sides out.
Villa, as expected, were on the front foot early on and had a good chance in the sixth minute when Moussa Diaby’s cross from the right found Lucas Digne arriving late at the back post, only for David Marshall to thwart him with the save.
We were understandably sitting deep at times and were limited to counterattacks. The best we could muster came when Jordan Obita’s switch of play found Martin Boyle, and from his knock down Elie Youan almost got on the end of it, only for Pau Torres to clear under pressure.
We were fortunate to escape in the 16th minute when Youan lost possession deep inside our half; Villa worked the ball to Diaby on the edge of our box and his deflected shot was saved by Marshall.
There were claims for a penalty kick when Boyle went down under a challenge from Luiz. Spanish referee, Ricardo De Burgos Bengoechea, was unmoved and waved play on.
The deadlock was broken just one minute later when McGinn fed the ball wide left to Digne and his cross was guided into the net by the head of Watkins.
The Villa goalscorer should have scored again just moments later when McGinn picked him out with a pin-point delivery however, with the goal at his mercy, he headed over.
Villa’s quality was coming to the fore and when Bailey cut inside off the right flank, he let fly with a rasping shot from 16 yards that took a terrific save from Marshall to deny him.
The English outfit doubled their advantage on 33 minutes when Carlos flicked on a corner kick and Watkins got away from Josh Campbell to easily head in at the back post.
We were struggling as Villa exploited the gaps on our right time and again. That’s where the Villa third goal came from as McGinn fed it to Digne and from his cross Bailey headed in unopposed from point-blank range.
It was one-way traffic, and the visitors could have extended their lead in time added on at the end of the half when Watkins was played through on goal only to drag his angled drive just wide of the far post.
It was certainly a testing evening for our boys as Villa moved the ball expertly in tight areas and we struggled to match the speed of their movement both in and out of possession.
Both sides made a change at the interval. Jimmy Jeggo replaced Obita for us whilst Villa withdrew goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and introduced Robin Olsen.
The Villa substitute was quickly involved when he was called into action to tip a rising shot from Youan over this crossbar in the opening minute.
We had started the second period brightly however we failed to heed the first half warnings as Villa once again took full advantage and Digne crossed for Watkins to slot in.
The goal was initially chalked off for offside however it was later awarded following a VAR review to allow Watkins to complete his hat-trick.
That gap was again exploited again on 59 minutes when a simple ball down the line put Watkins clear on the left, he found Boubacar Kamara with a low cross and only a last-gasp deflection from Stevenson denied him.
From the corner kick taken by Digne, Ezri Konsa’s looping header was just over the crossbar as the visitors threatened to add to their tally.
On 73 minutes Villa were awarded a penalty kick when Stevenson brought down substitute Bertrand Traore. Luiz took the spot kick and duly dispatched it, sending Marshall the wrong way.
Next up for Hibs is a visit from Livingston.
Hibernian: Marshall, Miller, Hanlon (Rocky 68’), Fish, Youan, Vente (Doidge 68’), Boyle, Newell (Delferriere 87’), Steenson, Obita (Jeggo 46’), Campbell (Doyle-Hayes 68’). Substitutes not used: Boruc, Le Fondre, Harbottle, Molotnikov, McAllister, Megwa, MacIntyre.
Aston Villa: Martinez (Olsen 46’), Carlos, Konsa (Cash 74’), Luiz, McGinn, Watkins (Traore 68’), Digne, Torres, Diaby, Bailey (Duran 68’), Kamara (Tielemans 66’). Substitutes not used: Marschall, Chambers, Revan, Feeney.
Referee: Ricardo De Burgos Bengoechea (ESP).
Attendance: 19,306.
