Christian Benteke Aston Villa
Villa striker Christian Benteke recorded his first brace since the start of the Premier League. Reuters

After an early lapse in the first three minutes of play, Aston Villa regrouped to score three goals in the last 20 minutes of the first half and ran away from Norwich City 4-1 on Sunday at Villa Park.

Villa striker Christian Benteke recorded his first brace since the start of Premier League, and pushed his goal total to nine during the campaign.

Norwich forward Wesley Hoolahan converted a clever assist from Gary Hooper into a left-footed shot in the center of the box in the third minute of play, but Benteke had yet to strike.

Benteke slipped free of the Norwich back line for just enough space inside the box for a right-footed score in the 25th minute, and two minutes later the Congo international squeezed off an excellent header after a corner kick cross from Ashley Westwood.

Midfielder Leandro Bacuna piled on for his sixth goal of the season by completing a fastbreak with a left-footed strike to the right of the box off Andreas Weimann’s fifth assist of the year.

Things only got worse for the Canaries in the nightmare first half when defender Sebastien Bassong committed an own goal in the 41st minute that made the score 4-1.

All three saves from Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan came in the first half, and the rest of his squad maintained enough pressure to keep him clear of any more danger. Villa forced six corner kicks to Norwich’s three and maintained a 56-44 possession advantage.