On a day when the nation's most famous horse race was run, it was Villa's very own pedigree sprinter that stole the headlines at Villa Park.
Gabby Agbonlahor finally ended his goal drought as the Claret and Blue thrashed Bolton 4-0.
Agbonlahor hadn't scored since the end of last year and has struggled to find any form but the lacklustre visitors never looked capable of stopping him.
Gareth Barry put in a true captains performance as he scored twice and set up both other goals, including one for substitute Marlon Harewood.
England midfielder Barry was involved in everything Vila did well and he was deservedly handed the Man of the Match award.
Returns
Villa came into the game on the back of an appalling run of form. They had endured a difficult defeat on their last outing at Villa Park against Sunderland and that was followed by a comprehensive 4-0 thrashing at Old Trafford last weekend.
The Claret and Blue started with a front two of Agbonlahor and John Carew with the big Norwegian shrugging of a knock to play his part.
Nigel Reo-Coker was restored to a more familiar midfield position after playing at right back against Manchester United and Zat Knight came in at centre half.
Bolton started the game with two former Villans in the side. Gary Cahill and Gavin McCann were making their first returns to Villa Park whilst former Villa left back Jloyd Samuel started on the bench.
The Trotters lost 3-2 to Arsenal last time out as they squandered a 2-0 lead at home and were looking for a welcome victory in their troubled fight against relegation.
Villa pressed early on and opened the scoring after just eight minutes. Ashley Young broke free down the left and whipped in a great cross for captain marvel Gareth Barry to head home.
The Bolton defence were statuesque as the England midfielder guided in a free header.
Villa continued their sense of urgency as they were strong in the tackle and first to the ball.
Uncertain
They epitomised a team that had been given an ultimatum. O'Neill had clearly told them it was now or never in the charge for an Intertoto Cup spot.
But Bolton came back into it as a Kevin Davies cross deceived Scott Carson and looped onto the Villa crossbar. The Trotters were looking lively on the break but vulnerable at the back as every ball into the box seemed to scare the life out of their back four.
Ashley Young noticed the weakness and continued to push and probe from both flanks.
Martin Laursen hit the post on 36 as Bolton again failed to clear properly and Ali Al Habsi looked uncertain in the Wanderers goal.
Helguson wasted a good chance just before the break as the ball dropped invitingly to him from a free kick but he sliced over. It was an effort that symbolised the profligate visitors.
Bolton started the second half on the front foot and nearly restored parity as they twice troubled Scott Carson from corners. The Villa keeper flapped at consecutive deliveries and had the Bolton players reacted quicker it could have been all square.
In a rollercoaster sort of game the balance again tipped in favour of Villa and the home side were rewarded with a second goal.
Relief
Gareth Barry was again involved as he crossed the ball in from the left and Gabby Agbonlahor stuck out a foot to guide it in.
The sense of relief around Villa Park was massive, but even bigger was the burden that was lifted from Agbonlahor's shoulders.
The striker has endured a nightmare time of late and his celebration was one of a man who had forgotten what to do after seeing the ball hit the net.
Villa continued to cause problems with their quick counter attacking style and Agbonlahor laid the ball neatly to Nigel Reo-Coker who brought a save from Al Habsi.
From the resulting corner Bolton again failed to clear. The ball fell to Gareth Barry on the edge of the area who struck a deflected shot past the hapless Al Habsi.
Villa were in a position to take it easy and they replaced John Carew with Marlon Harewood. The substitute made an immediate impression once again as he headed in another superb Barry delivery to complete the rout.
On the subject of routs, Wayne Routledge came on five minutes from time to make his first appearance since he was signed in January.
It was a day of highs for Claret and Blue after a four game low. Barry was brilliant and Agbonlahor overcame the highest hurdle of his career to date.
The Villa vigour is renewed and they now look favourites for that Intertoto Cup place.