Luiz double fires flying Villa to 4-1 win over West Ham

BIRMINGHAM, England : Two goals from Douglas Luiz helped a rampant Aston Villa to a 4-1 victory over West Ham United and moved the Midlands club into fifth spot in the Premier League on Sunday.

Luiz struck either side of halftime, his second goal from the penalty spot, to put Unai Emery's side in control.

A deflected shot by Jarrod Bowen offered the visitors a lifeline and they threatened to draw level before Ollie Watkins struck with an exquisite finish after a counter-attack.

Leon Bailey came off the bench to put the icing on the cake with a superb fourth late on after cutting in from the right.

High-flying Villa are unbeaten in five league games and have 19 points from nine games, one point outside the top four.

West Ham are in ninth place on 14 points.