Everton would have been a powerful enough attraction on Wednesday anyway whatever kind of form Villa had been displaying. But now that Ron Saunders’s men have struck nine goals in their last two home matches, the chances of a League Cup victory becomes that much more real and gives the tie an added lustre on Saturday.

Villa may have finished with only three goals, yet at times they appeared ready to surpass the 6-0 victory against Hull ten days before.

The fact of a 1-0 defeat at Bolton sandwiched between the two victories was forgotten by the crowd - how much longer will gate figures hover in the 16,000 to 18,000 region - delighted at the style with which Orient were despatched.

Orient came close to promotion last season but Villa were by far the superior side on Saturday.

“Promotion” seems to be a banned word at Villa Park these days, the disappointment of last season no doubt being to blame.

But Villa showed here, despite the absence of new signing Frank Carrodus, that at the very least a lot of good teams will find the Villa Park trip a pointless one.

Chris Nicholl and lan Ross were always in charge at the back, John Robson had his most outstanding game so far in midfield, and Brian Little’s confidence grew perceptibly as the game went on, despite the rough treatment he received at the hands, elbows and legs of Phil Hoadley.

Little had a major part to play in the first goal, after 14 minutes.

Hoadley was caught in possession, Ray Graydon whipped in a short centre, Little slid the ball square, and with John Jackson now hopelessly out of position Sammy Morgan scored his fourth goal of the season.

Graydon scored another after 32 minutes. beating Jackson from 25 yards, and added No. 3 from the penalty spot after 70 minutes, having been brought down by Bill Roffey.

Villa’s only lapse was the moment of defensive paralysis four minutes later which saw Derrick Downing’s consolation goal.