CARDIFF CITY 3 Mendez-Laing (21, 71), Hoilett (60) ASToN vILLA 0

ASTON VILLA’S difficult to start to the new season continued as they were well beaten by Cardiff.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing scored in either half and Junior Hoilett also found the net for Neil Warnock’s Bluebirds as the home side boasted the cutting edge that Villa lacked.

After being held at home by Hull on the opening weekend, this was another reminder for Steve Bruce’s Villa that they will not have things all their own way this season. Cardiff, watched by owner Vincent Tan, were fully deserving winners and Kenneth Zohore and Mendez-Laing played starring roles to put Warnock’s men top of the table. Villa made a fast start, Scott Hogan firing over and then having an effort saved by the diving Neil Etheridge.

At the other end, Hoilett’s shot was spilled but then recovered by keeper Sam Johnstone. The Manchester United loanee also saved well from striker Zohore before the home side took the lead. It was a simple goal, Hoilett’s cross finding Mendez-Laing at the back post, the winger rising between John Terry and Neil Taylor to head home.

Johnstone was again the man to Villa’s rescue at the start of the second period. The keeper saved from both Mendez-Laing and Zohore, before Villa’s best chance of the game arrived.

Henri Lansbury’s corner from the right was headed down by James Chester, a slight deflection off Joe Bennett beating Etheridge but not the crossbar.

Cardiff’s second was a goal for which Zohore could take the credit. The powerful Danish striker danced down the touchline before crossing for Hoilett to tap home. When Mendez-Laing slotted home a third after breezing past Alan Hutton, the game was over.