By Paul Brown

The claret and blue feel-good factor continued as Villa comprehensively saw off Hull.

Richard Dunne, James Milner and John Carew scored the goals as Martin O'Neill's men followed up the elation of charging into the Carling Cup semi-finals with a victory that was never really in doubt.

The manager made one change from the side which defeated Pompey in the week, with Brad Friedel replacing his young understudy between the sticks.

Stewart Downing was handed his home debut and when his name was read out by the stadium announcer just before kick-off, the home fans let him know he'll be made very much at home at Villa Park.

But the cheers turned to boos when Hull skipper Anthony Gardner took the decision to switch ends after winning the ceremonial coin-toss - ensuring no second half onslaught towards the Holte End. That frustration was almost short-lived as Villa made a red-hot start to the game.

Luke Young had a golden opportunity in the first minute to open the scoring as he darted into the box before pulling his close-range strike wide of the post. Emile Heskey - keeping his place in the side after his Pompey heroics - had another excellent chance to ensure the perfect start soon after. Like Young before him, the star striker dragged his effort wide, following a brilliant throughball from Ashley Young.

The goal wasn't long in coming, however. Richard Dunne is renowned for his brutish defensive work in the backline but he showed the composure of a silky striker on 14 minutes. James Milner this time produced the quality ball forward, slipping in Dunny who found himself in acres of space on the right side of the box before cracking home.

Jimmy Bullard - a popular figure in football, never mind at the KC Stadium - enjoyed a sympathetic round of applause after being forced out of action midway through the first period. Even the usually intense Martin O'Neill found time to pat the midfield star on the back as he was helped from the field.

Villa's generosity didn't last long, however - and the club's second goal owed much to a senior - and well-known - ballboy.

With Villa looking to attack down the right again, Hull goalkeeper Matt Duke was forced to improvise, rush out and head the ball out of play. Steve Sidwell, warming up on the touchline, used his initiative to grab hold of the ball and quickly threw it to Gabby Agbonlahor. The star striker laid it on a plate for Milner who chipped it over the keeper's head and into the empty net.

It could have been three at the break as Downing fired in an awesome 30-yard drive with his left-foot late on but it marginally cleared the bar with Duke beaten.

It was a quieter second period, no doubt, but Villa were always in charge.

Heskey had a golden opportunity to guarantee victory soon after the restart but after beating one man he looked to beat another before surrendering the chance as the crowd called for the shot.

Craig Fagan had Hull's best chance of the game on the hour mark but his 25-yard cracker crashed against the crossbar, with Villa able to clear the subsequent danger.

John Carew made his entrance on 77 minutes and it took him a mere 10 minutes to put a seal on the comprehensive victory.

Wing wonder Young darted into the box and was upended by Duke. Big JC put himself forward for spot-kick duties and made no mistake, blasting home the third and final goal.