Whoever was responsible for voting Martin O'Neill top of the Foster's "No Worries League" as the most laid-back manager in the top flight must have had a strong sense of irony.
For once, though, the Ulsterman could afford to luxuriate in that description yesterday. When it came to bestowing accolades and superlatives he was blessed with an embarrassment of riches.
The obvious recipient, after an exhibition of raw power and not a little finesse when required, was John Carew, but also not to be forgotten was the devilish pace of a predatory Gabriel Agbonlahor, scoring his seventh goal of the season, and the splendid crossing technique, energy and vision of James Milner.
Just about all the members of Villa's miserly rearguard, with one significant lapse, contributed to this timely victory.
Villa, who have tended to be goal-shy this season, addressed that issue in emphatic fashion, with goals from five different scorers.
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It was put to O'Neill that his forward players had embarrassed the Wanderers rearguard. "That would be fair to say," agreed the Villa manager. "Agbonlahor and Carew were too strong. Carew was absolutely brilliant, a real handful. And Ashley Young and Milner played so fluently as well."
Villa's recent slough of form meant they had garnered only six points from their previous six league games, their sole triumph against Chelsea in their last home fixture. An appropriate moment for the fixture computer to pit them against Bolton, who in October conceded 14 goals in five league and cup games.
O'Neill's men needed only five minutes to establish the tone of the afternoon. Jussi Jaaskelainen plunged to save Carew's header, following Milner's beautifully-flighted cross, only for Ashley Young to thrash home the rebound.
Just before the break the former Villa man Gary Cahill tried to shepherd the ball out for a goal-kick, only for Carew to deftly nick the ball and cut it back for Agbonlahor to steer home Villa's second. Briefly Villa lost their concentration. A long ball played upfield by Paul Robinson broke for Cahill, who struck the post from an acute angle. It fell kindly for substitute John Elmander to run into an empty net.
Villa soon restored their advantage after the interval. Milner played the ball into Carew, with his back to goal. It appeared an innocuous position, but Zat Knight and Cahill proved no bar to his progress as the Norwegian powered through to goal and prodded the ball past Jaaskelainen. Kevin Davies conceded a penalty when he pushed Carew as they challenged to meet a free kick. Milner, one of three Villa players to miss a penalty this season, saw his spot-kick saved, Steve Sidwell followed up and struck a post, but the penalty-taker redeemed himself by scoring at his second attempt. The England man then provided a cross for Carlos Cuellar to head past Jasskelainen.
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While Carew received most plaudits, the applause also rained down from the stands for Milner when he was substituted late on. This is a player who often attributes the influence of David Beckham to his ever-prospering career. Yesterday, the winger emphasised that he is likely to be more than merely admiring the former England captain if, as anticipated, both are members of Fabio Capello's squad for South Africa. He will be demanding a starting place.
Bolton had their keeper to thank for not suffering further ignominy here. "You had to feel sorry for Jussi. He didn't deserve it," said Gary Megson, the manager, who was in no mood to spare any sympathy for the rest of his team. "The Villa players looked close to their best. None of our outfield players got near to what I expect."
ASTON VILLA: Friedel 6, Warnock 6, Cuellar 7, Dunne 7, L Young 6, Sidwell (Gardner 86min), Reo-Coker 6 (Delph 86min), Milner 8 (Delfouneso 82min), A Young 7, Agbonlahor 8, Carew 9
BOLTON: Jaaskelainen 8, Knight 5, Cahill 5, Robinson 6, Ricketts 6 (Steinsson 69min), Gardner 6, Cohen 5 (Elmander 29min), Muamba 5, Taylor 6, Lee 6, K Davies 6