Aston Villa have moved into fourth position in the Premier League table courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Luton Town at Villa Park on Sunday afternoon.

John McGinn made the breakthrough in the 17th minute of the contest before Moussa Diaby doubled the home side's advantage early in the second period.

An own goal from Tom Lockyer just past the hour then took the match away from Luton, who remain in the relegation zone, having picked up just five points from their opening 10 matches of the season.

The visitors did give their fans something to cheer late on when Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez scored an own goal following a mistake from Ezri Konsa, but Luton did not threaten to make it a grandstand finish in the latter stages.

Villa have now won five of their last six games in the league, with Unai Emery's side boasting seven victories from their first 10 fixtures of the 2023-24 campaign.

Villa should have taken the lead in the fourth minute when Diaby and Ollie Watkins linked up to set up Nicolo Zaniolo, but his effort flashed just wide of the post.

Zaniolo had another chance in the ninth minute after more good work from Diaby and Lucas Digne, but his first-time strike was deflected just wide of the post by Luton's Teden Mengi.

Luton goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski then made two excellent saves in quick succession to deny Watkins, with the home side dominating the match in the early exchanges.

It was no surprise that the opening goal came for the hosts, with McGinn expertly finding the bottom corner after collecting a short free kick on the edge of the box and working his way into a shooting position.

Villa came close to a second in the 20th minute through the dangerous Zaniolo, but his near-post effort after smart work from Watkins was turned behind by the Luton goalkeeper.

The home side had another two opportunities before the end of the first period, but Diaby saw his goal-bound strike blocked by Marvelous Nakamba, before Douglas Luiz hit the woodwork just before the interval.

Villa had threatened a second in the first half, and it eventually came shortly after the restart, with Diaby picking out the bottom corner with an excellent effort after Leon Bailey had set up his teammate.

Watkins had a strike deflected behind for a corner in the 55th minute, but the game was over just past the hour when Lockyer turned a Diaby cross into the back of his own net to make it 3-0 to the hosts.

A brilliant challenge from Issa Kabore prevented Bailey from having a clear strike on the Luton goal in the 73rd minute before McGinn scuffed one into Kaminski's arms, and the visitors then managed to register in the 83rd minute courtesy of an own goal from Villa goalkeeper Martinez.

Konsa attempted to head it back to the Argentina international, but it looped over him and eventually bounced into the back of the net off the World Cup winner, and Luton then threatened a second late on with a couple of dangerous corners, but Ross Barkley missed their best chance.

Villa will be bidding to continue their excellent form when they visit Nottingham Forest in the league next Sunday, while Luton will host Liverpool on the same afternoon. body check tags ::