Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s first Premier League goal ensured Chelsea’s unbeaten streak under Guus Hiddink reached 15 games at Villa Park.
The young Englishman slotted home mid-way through the first half, before debutant Alexandre Pato scored from the spot.
Pedro scored moments after the break, and added his second just before the hour mark when he tapped home from Pato’s rebound.
And unbeaten Chelsea remained in control throughout, while Villa looked full value for their basement status.
It took more than 10 minutes for Chelsea to fire into gear when Pedro bent an effort just over the crossbar from 20 yards.
But Loftus-Cheek broke the deadlock with his first Premier League goal after 26 minutes when Cesar Azpilicueta’s fine cutback found the 20-year-old, who coolly slotted home.
Baba Rahman should have doubled Chelsea’s lead when through on goal, only to slide his tame effort straight at Brad Guzan.
And Loftus-Cheek might have grabbed a second on the stroke of half time when he bent an effort narrowly wide of Guzan’s far post despite being granted the freedom of Villa Park to pick his spot.
But Pato, on for the injured Loic Remy, then doubled Chelsea’s lead in injury time as he picked himself up from Aly Cissokho’s clumsy tackle to slam the resulting spot-kick beyond the Villa goalkeeper.
And just 48 seconds after the interval Pedro extended the Blues’ lead, tapping home after a wonderful one-two with Pato and Oscar.
Pedro added his second on the hour when Pato cut inside and forced a save from Guzan, who only palmed out for the Spain international to tap into an empty net.
And Alan Hutton completed a miserable day for the relegation-doomed Villains when he saw a second yellow card, and subsequent red, for a late and high tackle on Loftus-Cheek.
