Alexandre Pato scored on his debut - 64 days after signing for Chelsea
Ruben Loftus-Cheek's deflected shot and Pato's precise penalty gave Chelsea, the visitors, a healthy half-time lead.
Pedro scored twice - slotting in Oscar's pull-back and hammering home a loose ball - before Alan Hutton was sent off to compound Villa's misery.
Aston Villa fans turned their ire on their owner and team in the second half
Aston Villa's Premier League survival may still be possible in theory but, with 15 points separating them from safety and six games left, attention has long since switched to the longer term in the Holte End after seven straight league defeats.
Before kick-off, fans held aloft banners asking "Proud History, What future?" as they contemplate a Championship campaign on the pitch and owner Randy Lerner's continuing attempts to sell up off it.
The final whistle was greeted with resounding boos from the fans who remained in a fast-emptying Villa Park.
Villa without Gabriel Agbonlahor initially worked hard to provide some short-term solace for their fans.
It was difficult to measure Chelsea against opposition in such disarray, but some of the fringe squad members shone in a win that extended their unbeaten league run to 15-straight games.
Pato said after the match that he was "surprised" to be brought on after Loic Remy suffered a slight injury, but showed some nice touches. In defence, fellow debutant Matt Miazga coped well with the aerial threat from Rudy Gestede while a hungry Loftus-Cheek curled a shot just wide as he hunted his second.
Pedro was particularly bright and could have had a hat-trick had a deft chip not been ruled out in the first half for a marginal offside.
With matches against Tottenham and Leicester to come in May, Chelsea will have a say in the climax to this season's title race. With Italian Antonio Conte reportedly lined up for the manager's job, they may be more directly involved next season.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek's deflected shot and Pato's precise penalty gave Chelsea, the visitors, a healthy half-time lead.
Pedro scored twice - slotting in Oscar's pull-back and hammering home a loose ball - before Alan Hutton was sent off to compound Villa's misery.
Aston Villa fans turned their ire on their owner and team in the second halfAston Villa's Premier League survival may still be possible in theory but, with 15 points separating them from safety and six games left, attention has long since switched to the longer term in the Holte End after seven straight league defeats.
Before kick-off, fans held aloft banners asking "Proud History, What future?" as they contemplate a Championship campaign on the pitch and owner Randy Lerner's continuing attempts to sell up off it.
The final whistle was greeted with resounding boos from the fans who remained in a fast-emptying Villa Park.
Villa without Gabriel Agbonlahor initially worked hard to provide some short-term solace for their fans.
It was difficult to measure Chelsea against opposition in such disarray, but some of the fringe squad members shone in a win that extended their unbeaten league run to 15-straight games.
Pato said after the match that he was "surprised" to be brought on after Loic Remy suffered a slight injury, but showed some nice touches. In defence, fellow debutant Matt Miazga coped well with the aerial threat from Rudy Gestede while a hungry Loftus-Cheek curled a shot just wide as he hunted his second.
Pedro was particularly bright and could have had a hat-trick had a deft chip not been ruled out in the first half for a marginal offside.
With matches against Tottenham and Leicester to come in May, Chelsea will have a say in the climax to this season's title race. With Italian Antonio Conte reportedly lined up for the manager's job, they may be more directly involved next season.
Spaniard Pedro was named the man of the match. He helped set up Ruben Loftus-Cheek's opener before his second-half braceCaretaker Aston Villa boss Eric Black: "I'm not overly delighted losing 4-0 today, but things obviously run a little deeper.
Villa must stay professional - Black
"If you're bottom of the league and have won three games all season, you're not going to be flying high. We have to be professional until the end, and do our utmost for the club and supporters. We need to continue to work hard to get this club back to where it should be.
Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink on BT Sport on Alexandre Pato's debut wait: "He was counting down the days, and knocking on the door. I could have brought him on after 14 days or three weeks but it would have been irresponsible.
Chelsea debutants display pleases Hiddink
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