Villa receive a Christmas gift from referee Mike Riley that sets them up for a first Premier League win in four and their fifth in eighteen games under David O'Leary.

Villa bag a huge win, literally and metaphorically, that is as unexpected as it is welcome as an Everton side, level on points in the table, are swept aside by a youthful Villa side at a half-full Boxing Day Villa Park. 

The win makes it five in the last 23 games under David O'Leary but also just one defeat in six as, despite the Villa boss's unpopularity, thoughts turn to whether he might herald an about turn in form as impressive as the one that had occurred under his watch in 2003-04. 

Midfielder Craig Gardner makes his Villa debut aged 19 having joined as a schoolboy to become the 789th player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football.

Milan Baroš scores his 5th goal and contribute his 10th goal involvement in a Villa shirt on just his 12th appearance to make it W5 D3 L4, 5 Goals, 5 Assists and 4 Bookings at a goal involvement rate of one for every 1.20 games he has played so far in his Villa career.

Juan Pablo Ángel contributes his 70th goal involvement in a Villa shirt on his 129th start (158 Appearances) to make it W57 D39 L62, 54 Goals, 16 Assists and 10 Bookings at a goal involvement rate of one for every 1.84 starts so far in his Villa career.

Steven Davis makes his 50th appearance in a Villa shirt (39 Starts) to make it W16 D12 L22, 6 Goals, 1 Assist and 2 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Gavin McCann secures his 30th win in a Villa shirt on his 73rd appearance to make it W30 D20 L23, 4 Goals, 3 Assists, 13 Bookings and 2 Red Cards so far in his Villa career.

Thomas Sørensen secures his 40th win in a Villa shirt on his 104th appearance to make it W40 D27 L37, 132 Goals Conceded at a rate of 1.27 goals per game and 33 Clean Sheets (32%) so far in his Villa career.

Mark Delaney scores his 2nd goal in a Villa shirt and his first in 175 games on his 182nd appearance (164 Starts) to make it W68 D51 L63, 2 Goals, 6 Assists, 21 Bookings and 2 Red Cards so far in his Villa career.

In less positive news, a player as loyal and committed as they come, Mark Delaney, is pushed to demand a transfer as the club refuses to discuss a new deal: “It’s obviously down to the club. I’ve spoken to them about it. “They’re obviously not willing to do much so I’ve got to try and work out what’s best for me. “If that’s away from here, then it’s away from here but, hopefully, it’s here. “It’s difficult to take. I’ve given as much as I can to the club. “Sometimes, it’s just not enough with different management and different strategies, and a different way of going about things.”