Watkins put Unai Emery’s team ahead early on, finishing coolly into the left corner after Matty Cash found him with a low cross.

The 27-year-old came within inches of doubling his own score with a low shot inside Jason Steele’s right-hand post.

Villa were all over Brighton, sharper on the ball and better in the tackle, and extended their advantage just five minutes later when Moussa Diaby’s scuffed attempt deflected in off the unfortunate Pervis Estupinan.

Brighton improved after the break, but Watkins’ third goal of the game – a thunderous drive that took a deflection off Adam Webster on its way in – ruined the visitors’ chances of an extraordinary comeback.

Watkins, who also scored three goals against Hibernian in Europa League qualifying, is the first Villa player since Andy Gray in 1976-77 to score more than one hat-trick in a season.

Late goals from Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz put the cherry on top for Villa, who now have the same number of points as the Seagulls in the Premier League table.