PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS: Villa return to form with demolition of Bolton

JAMES Milner was the star of the show as Aston Villa returned to form with a demolition of Bolton at Villa Park.

 SITTING PRETTY: England midfielder James Milner inspires Villa to a 5-1 win at home to Bolton

The England midfielder set up three and notched one for himself as the Villains picked up their first win in five games with a 5-1 victory.

Former Villa players Zat Knight and Gary Cahill were Bolton's centre-half pairing but they endured 90 minutes they will want to forget as five different Villa players found the net.

Having not tasted victory since their 2-1 defeat of Chelsea in October, Villa manager Martin O'Neill admitted it was a relief to pick up three points again.

"It's been a tough few weeks for us since we beat Chelsea and we've had to travel to some tricky places," said O'Neill.

"The manner of defeat to West Ham was particularly difficult to take so it was really pleasing to bounce back like we did today.

"It helped that we were at home today because you always get a supportive crowd at Villa Park and we're starting to win here on a more consistent basis which is important.

"The players really responded today and burst out of the blocks so hopefully we can take things forward from here."

Ashley Young scored his second goal in as many games to open the scoring in the fifth minute, smashing home after Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen had spilled John Carew's header.

Cahill had his head in his hands just before half-time as his lack of judgement allowed Carew in before the Norwegian slid across for Gabriel Agbonlahor to bag his seventh goal of the season.

Johan Elmander's tap-in put Bolton back in contention just before half-time but just after the break, Carew picked up Milner's pass before powering past both Knight and Cahill and smashing the ball home.

Milner added the fourth in the 72nd minute after Jaaskelainen had saved his weak penalty and defender Carlos Cuellar, on his comeback from suspension, nodded the fifth from a Milner cross three minutes later.

Elsewhere, goals from Robbie Keane and Tom Huddlestone either side of half time ensured Sunderland striker Darren Bent's return to White Hart Lane was an unhappy one.

The England striker also had a penalty saved by Brazilian keeper Heurelho Gomes as Tottenham ran out 2-0 victors to move up to fourth.

North London rivals Arsenal were even more dominant in a 4-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux as they moved to second in the league.

Wolves haven't beaten the Gunners for 30 years and their hopes of breaking that trend were dealt a severe blow when French defender Ronald Zubar put Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas' 27th minute corner into his own net.

Less than ten minutes later, the Gunners went two up as Eduardo's chip bounced off Jody Craddock's head and over a despairing Wayne Hennessy into the Wolves' goal.

Seconds before the interval, Arsenal all-but finished the match as Robin Van Persie and Bacary Sagna combined to set up Fabregas who made no mistake with his finish.

Andrey Arshavin scored the visitors' fourth in the 66th minute before Craddock nodded his third goal in two games for a last minute consolation.

Meanwhile, Manchester City drop to sixth behind Spurs and Villa after 3-3 draw at home to Burnley.

Mark Hughes' men have now recorded five draws on the bounce. Burnley substitute Kevin McDonald broke Eastlands hearts on this occasion with an 87th minute equaliser.

It could have been a lot worse for City as Burnley raced to a two goal lead after Graham Alexander's 19th minute penalty and Steven Fletcher's 32nd minute tap-in.

Shaun Wright-Phillips pulled one back just before half-time.  After what must have been a ferocious team-talk from Hughes; City returned, a different side, after the break.

Defender Kolo Toure levelled the scores in the 55th minute after Gareth Barry's lofted free-kick before Welsh striker Craig Bellamy edged City in front three minutes later with a ten-yard strike.

But the one goal lead never looked completely safe and sure enough, McDonald popped up in the six-yard box to beat Shay Given from close range and ensure the points were shared.

Blackburn put a stop to Portsmouth's charge up the table with a 3-1 victory at Ewood Park.

Pompey came in to the game on the back of two 4-0 wins and after Jamie O'Hara had put the visitors in front with a 30-yard curler, it looked like they might continue their unlikely resurgence.

But Blackburn had only lost one of their last 11 games at Ewood Park and proved their dominance in Lancashire again with two second half goals from Jason Roberts and a Ryan Nelson header.