Liverpool 1 Aston Villa 0

Gerard Houllier's side deservedly, although fortunately, took the lead nine minutes before half time and always threatened to add a second as they controlled most of the match.

Villa finished the game strongly though, especially after David O'Leary threw Dion Dublin up front and the hosts were made to sweat it out to record their third win in a week.

Michael Owen was making his return to action after injury and he looked a little bit rusty in front of goal as he squandered a glorious chance to open the scoring early on when he hit the bar from all of three yards out after Harry Kewell's cutback.

Liverpool nearly paid for the miss as Darius Vassell was presented a great chance by Igor Biscan but the England striker's firm strike was well saved by on-loan Southampton goalkeeper Paul Jones in the home net.

Dietmar Hamann forced a good save from Thomas Sorensen with a low shot as the home side began to take control of the match - and they duly took the lead on 36 minutes.

Kewell's cross was flicked on by Emile Heskey and Delaney could only bundle the ball into his own net under pressure from Danny Murphy.

The hosts could have doubled their lead on the stroke of half time when Murphy's free kick found Owen in space inside the box but he could only prod a tame effort harmlessly at Sorensen.

Liverpool started the second half as they ended the first with El-Hadji Diouf providing a constant threat down the right flank. The Senegal star crossed for Owen early in the second period and Sorensen had to stretch well to stop the cross before tipping the ball away from the feet of the Reds number ten.

Owen was then nearly put clean through but for the intervention of Olof Mellberg, while Heskey barged his way through the heart of the visiting defence before Dion Dublin forced him out of his stride.

Kewell then blazed over from a good position after a breakaway involving Florent Sinama-Pongolle, who came on in place of a tiring Owen.

Dublin was then thrown up front as Villa applied late pressure with a string of corners and free kicks as the home crowd's nerves were tested.

Kewell again missed a great chance to seal the points as he blasted into the side netting from another break - but the hosts held on for a third win in a welcome week for the recovering Reds.