Aston Villa 5-1 Bolton Wanderers

John Carew produced an inspired performance as Aston Villa demolished Bolton to put their push for a European spot back on course with a resounding victory.

The Norwegian international set up three goals - for Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor and James Milner - and scored one himself before Carlos Cuellar put the icing on the cake for Martin O'Neill's side.

Bolton have now leaked 15 goals in their last four games in all competitions and could only manage a single reply from substitute Johan Elmander.

Carew was in unstoppable form with his power and aerial dominance and made it a miserable day for the former Villa defenders Gary Cahill and Zat Knight.

But Milner was also impressive on the flank while Cuellar was outstanding at the back for Martin O'Neill's side, who shrugged off the absence of suspended skipper Stiliyan Petrov and injured duo James Collins and Emile Heskey.

O'Neill handed the captain's armband to Nigel Reo-Coker in his first Barclays Premier League start since his training ground bust-up with the Villa manager in mid-September.

Villa looked lively and full of positive intent after collecting only two points from their previous three games.

Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen made a fine save to keep out a close-range header from Cuellar from Young's inswinging corner.

But the home side were not to be denied and went ahead after five minutes as Young struck for the second time in 72 hours.

Milner's cross picked out Carew, whose powerful downward header was parried at full stretch by Jaaskelainen.

But Young, who had been on the mark in the 2-1 defeat at West Ham, was first to react to the rebound and smashed it into the roof of the net.

Bolton tried to retaliate and Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel kept out a header from Cahill following a centre from Matt Taylor.

Bolton midfielder Tamir Cohen became the first player to be yellow carded after 23 minutes for a late tackle on Milner. It was Cohen's last contribution to the game and he limped off shortly afterwards and was replaced by Elmander.

Villa continued to look threatening and Carew had a header saved by Jaaskelainen from a Milner cross. It came as no surprise when they doubled their lead after 43 minutes.

Cahill tried to shepherd the ball out for a goal-kick when under pressure from Carew but the Norwegian international raced past him and cut the ball back to Agbonlahor. He had time to line up his shot although it went through the legs of both Paul Robinson and Jaaskelainen before ending up in the far corner of the net.

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.

Cahill was booked in first half injury-time for a foul on Carew.

Bolton started the second half brightly and Fabrice Muamba was on target with a 20-yard volley which flew straight at Friedel.

But Villa quickly regained their rhythm and Luke Young found himself in an advanced position and tested Jaaskelainen with a low drive from a narrow angle.

Then after 53 minutes Carew got on the scoresheet himself to re-establish Villa's two-goal advantage.

Carew had plenty of work to do when Milner played the ball into his feet but he shrugged off the challenge of Knight and nutmegged Cahill before clipping his shot into the corner of the net.

It was the third goal of the campaign for the former Lyon striker.

Villa were now back in full control and after 72 minutes Milner made it 4-1 after Carew had been pulled back in the penalty area by 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 a Milner centre.