Unai Emery masterminded Aston Villa's highest top-flight finish since 2010 last season, but his team's stunning 6-1 triumph over Brighton suggests they can aim even higher this time around.
On a remarkable afternoon in front of a fervent Villa Park crowd, the home side tore into Roberto de Zerbi's team from the off, inflicting the Seagulls' heaviest ever top-flight defeat thanks in large part to a masterful display from Ollie Watkins.
Watkins, who became the first Villa payer to score more than one hat-trick in a season since Andy Gray, was the star as the hosts climbed into the top four and stretched their 2023 points tally to 58 - a number bettered only by Premier League champions Manchester City.