Aston Villa displayed all their First Division potential at Villa Park last night as they destroyed Nottingham Forest with a thoroughly convincing performance which augurs well for their future.

Ray Graydon. the top scorer in the Football League so far, grabbed his tenth goal of the season with a stunning 22nd minute effort to send Villa through to their fourth home victory.

Graydon’s spectacular goal - a marvellous solo effort - gave Villa the impetus to move into fourth position in the Second Division table.

Villa were always the more powerful and alert team and the only disappointment about their victory was the sparse crowd of 20,357.

Graydon, who has stated his desire to play First Division football, could now achieve his aim next season if Villa continue their impressive start to this term.

Their away form still leaves a lot to be desired but I doubt whether any side will expose them at Villa Park if they can maintain their present standards.

Graydon’s goal came from an lan Ross free kick, when he robbed full back Vlv Anderson and then burst through defenders Dave Serella and Liam O’Kane before unleashing a tremendous right foot shot from just outside the penalty area.

Villa’s second goal, after 44 minutes, also came from a dead ball situation with Keith Leonard heading Chris Nicholl’s free kick across the goal for Hamilton to strike firmly past goalkeeper Dennis Peacock.

The third goal came in the 74th minute with Peacock stranded out of his goal as Leonard headed a miskicked clearance from Martin O’Neill into the empty net.

Forest were never allowed to settle and their new £120,000 centre forward signing, Barry Butlin, from Luton, seldom escaped from centre half Nicholl.

Full back David Jones was booked after 52 minutes for a foul on Frank Carrodus, who once again played a superb game in midfield.