Watkins hat-trick as Aston Villa demolish Liverpool 7-2

Ollie Watkins’ first-half hat-trick and Jack Grealish’s double after the break ended champions Liverpool’s 100% start to the season as Villa conjured a record-breaking romp of 7-2.

Ross Barkley, just loaned out from Chelsea last week, netted on his superb debut and John McGinn also scored to punish the Reds’ woeful defending , with Mo Salah replying twice.

Grealish got his second with a dinked finish and the closing stages were also notable for Watkins spurning a one-on-one with Adrián and hitting the crossbar. Villa had seven but the astonishing truth was it should have been double figures.

It’s the heaviest loss as a manager for Jurgen Klopp, whose Liverpool side became the first top-flight title holders to let in seven since Sunderland thumped Arsenal 7-1 in 1953.

And it mean Villa leapfrogged the Reds into second place by making it three wins out of three.

The only other side yet to drop points are leaders Everton, who have played four times.

Hat-trick hero Ollie Watkins was left to reflect on a special night in his career as he celebrated Aston Villa’s “unbelievable” 7-2 triumph over Liverpool.

The summer signing bagged a perfect first-half hat-trick – left foot, right foot and header – to send Villa well on their way to a famous night in the club’s history.

It was some way to register his first-ever Premier League goals, taking his tally for the club to five this season already in all competitions.

Asked if it was the best night of his career, Watkins told VillaTV: “Yeah, definitely.

“I’ve scored hat-tricks before but it was against Newport away on a boggy pitch with about 2,000 people there.

“It’s a shame there’s no fans here but to score against a team like Liverpool is unbelievable.”