Villa were swept aside, with Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera getting the show on the road before Gerrard took over.

His first goal was a penalty after Riera had been felled in the box, and the second an edge of the area free-kick.

The third for Gerrard was another penalty, when Brad Friedel was sent off for bringing down Fernando Torres as he raced onto a Xabi Alonso through-ball.

Sunderland remain in the thick of the struggle to escape relegation as the bravery of their 10 men went unrewarded in a 1-0 defeat at Manchester City.

The Black Cats were always in trouble once George McCartney had been red carded for a professional foul on Shaun Wright-Phillips after just 15 minutes.

Goalkeeper Marton Fulop was in fine form, saving a first-half Robinho penalty and preventing City from extending their advantage after Micah Richards' 56th-minute header had given the hosts the lead.

But the goal proved enough to leave Ricky Sbragia's side in 14th place, just three points away from the drop zone, while City move up to 10th.

Wigan returned to seventh after wasting a host of chances but still managing to beat struggling Hull 1-0 at the JJB Stadium.

It had appeared the Latics were heading for their seventh blank in 10 Barclays Premier League matches, after Mido and Hugo Rodallega had squandered opportunities twice each.

But midfielder Ben Watson scored his second goal in a week with a looping 84th-minute volley to end Wigan's run of back-to-back goalless home games and re-ignite hopes of qualifying for Europe next season.

Hull are still in trouble near the foot of the table, just four points above the relegation zone and with only one win in their last 14 matches.