Ahead of the 2005–06 season, Moore made an impression in the club's pre–season tour, including scoring six times in a 14–0 win against Gällstads on 20 July 2005. Despite Villa signing additional forwards such as Kevin Phillips and Milan Baroš in the summer of 2005, Moore kept his place in the first-team squad, starting some games and coming on from the bench in others. The departure of Phillips and the injury to Baroš ensured his place as a starter for the first team at the beginning of the Premiership season. He then scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–1 loss against Chelsea on 24 September 2005. As a result, Moore became the first player to breach Chelsea's defence this season, leading to earn £10,000 and gave it to a local charity of his choosing. This was followed up by scoring his second goal of the season, in a 3–2 loss against Middlesbrough. Two months later on 28 December 2005, he scored his third goal of the season, in a 3–3 draw against Fulham. Moore then scored an equalising goal, in a 1–1 draw against Chelsea on 1 February 2006. Three days later on 4 February 2006, Moore scored his first Premiership hat-trick for Villa, again against Middlesbrough. A week later on 11 February 2006, he scored his eighth goal of the season, in a 2–1 loss against Newcastle United. His performance in a number of matches earned praise from his teammates and Manager David O'Leary. However, towards the end of the 2005–06 season, Moore lost his first team place and was placed at the reserve side. Despite this, his eight league goals have played a crucial part but only because of injuries to Villa's senior strikers and went on to make thirty–two appearances in all competitions.