The siege mentality created by Pep Guardiola paid off as Manchester City increased the pressure on leaders Arsenal.
At the end of a week in which they were accused of breaching more than 100 of the Premier League's financial rules, City provided an emphatic response on the pitch.
Victory at Arsenal on Wednesday will take City top of the table and see them close an eight-point deficit in just 27 days as they seek a fifth title in six years.
Ironically, the charges may just prove the galvanising catalyst City need to overhaul Arsenal, with this the best display from Guardiola's side since October's 6-3 derby mauling of Manchester United.
The mood inside the stadium was one of defiance, with fervent chants in support of Guardiola, following his impassioned defence of the club on Friday, the first time he had spoken publicly since City were hit with the charges.
Guardiola repeated his belief that City were innocent and accused their Premier League rivals of ganging up on the champions, fostering a spirit of unity and injustice, which was reflected on the pitch and in the stands.
Before kick-off, City fans unfurled a giant banner saying 'Pannick on the streets of London', a play on the song by The Smiths and a reference to Lord Pannick KC, who is leading the club's legal defence against the charges.
Yet there were moments of levity, with sections of the home fans chanting 'We're Manchester City, we'll cheat when we want!' and 'City's going down with a billion in the bank!'.
On the pitch, there was no such flippancy, with Guardiola's side intent on sending a clear message about their prowess on the pitch after the allegations of impropriety off it.
There was a laser focus from the champions, who played like men possessed, with Aston Villa's players overwhelmed by the threat they faced.
City took the lead after just five minutes, a corner from Riyad Mahrez met by Rodri, who beat World Cup winning goalkeeper Emiliano Marinez at his near post with a glancing header.
The home side should have doubled their lead five minutes later. Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne exchanged passes, with the former putting Ilkay Gundogan through on goal, with only Martinez to beat.
Instead of squaring to Erling Haaland on his left, Gundogan took the chance on himself but was thwarted by Martinez, whose outstretched right leg stopped the ball from going in.
A minute later Gundogan had the ball in the net, with a fine half-volleyed strike, but the effort was ruled out for a foul on Martinez, who collided with Haaland prior to the goal.
Gundogan did make it 2-0 in the 40th minute, steering the ball in at the far post after fine work from Haaland to set up the goal.
Mahrez made it 3-0 from the penalty spot on half-time, after Grealish was judged to have been brought down by Jacob Ramsey, with Ollie Watkins pulling a goal back for the visitors just after the hour.
Ultimately though, the afternoon belonged to City. After a week in which their integrity was called into question, this was the response City needed, ahead of the protracted hearing into whether they are guilty of financial doping and one of football's biggest scandals.
