It's full time. Liverpool take maximum points courtesy of an impressive first half. Villa improved after the break but Agbonlahor's strike proved no more than a consolation.

Fowler fires into the side-netting as Liverpool go close to a late fourth goal.

Pennant looks to fire the ball into the area but his cross is too strong.

There's three minutes of added time.

Petrov hits a disappointing free kick straight into the wall.

Alonso has taken a knock and is receiving treatment.

Agbonlahor is adjudged offside as he looked to get onto the end of Agathe's cross.

Barry's looping header from Agathe's cross is straight into the arms of Reina.

Liverpool make their final substitution, Fowler replacing skipper Gerrard.

Pennant's cross into the area is headed away by Barry.

Liverpool make another substitution, Zenden replacing the impressive Garcia.

Pennant replaces goalscorer Crouch for Liverpool.

Sutton is just unable to divert Taylor's strike goalwards as Villa go searching for a second.

Davis replaces Osbourne for Aston Villa.

Garcia drags his volley at the far post wide of the target when well placed.

Reina makes a top-class save to deny Sutton after he met Petrov's free-kick with a header.

Ridgewell shows a cool head to get to the ball ahead of Crouch and calmly clear the ball for Villa.

Barry is forced to put the ball out for a throw-in under pressure from Sissoko.

Garcia pokes the ball just wide, after controlling Alonso's pinpoint pass on his chest.

Finnan's cross by-passes intended target Kuyt, allowing Villa to clear.

Bouma clears for Villa, halting Alonso's dangerous looking run.

Crouch is unable to direct his effort on target following good work by Finnan.

Villa are fired up after that goal. Liverpool know they are in a game now.

Liverpool 3-1 Villa. Gabriel Agbonlahor fires past Jose Reina after a neat one-two with Chris Sutton.

Alonso goes close to a fourth for the home side with a swirling effort.

Ridgewell does well to clear Villa's lines under incessant Reds pressure.

Gerrard slams a shot against the woodwork as Liverpool continue to pilpe on the pressure.

Hyypia fires over the crossbar from a Liverpool set piece move.

Gerrard fires wide for Liverpool as the Reds continue where they left off in the first half.

Chris Sutton and Agathe are half-time substitutes for Villa, replacing Angel and Baros.

Referee Steve Bennett gets the second half underway. The home fans will be hoping for more of the same.

HALF TIME: LIVERPOOL 3-0 ASTON VILLA: It's half time. An impressive Liverpool lead 3-0 courtesy of strikes from Kuyt, Crouch and Garcia in the last 15 minutes of the first period.

Luis Garcia rolls the ball past a despairing Sorensen to cap an impressive Liverpool move.

Mellberg uses all his experience to get ahead of the impressive Kuyt.

Liverpool are playing with a real swagger, similar to the famous Reds teams of old.

Peter Crouch doubles Liverpool's advantage, showing great technique to shoot home right footed.

Baros clears for Villa from another Liverpool corner as the Reds pile the pressure on the visitors goal.

Ridgewell is forced to hook the ball out for a corner as Liverpool go looking for a second.

Dirk Kuyt rifles the ball home from Sami Hyypia's knockdown to give Liverpool the lead on 31 minutes.

Mellberg is shown yellow for a challenge on Sissoko.

Garcia scuffs his shot as the ball flies wide of Sorensen's upright.

Riise's header loops harmlessly into the hands of Sorensen.

Villa win a corner, taken by Barry, which is headed away by Carragher.

Crouch heads over the crossbar from Gerrard's corner as Liverpool go close to an opener.

Gareth Barry makes a last-ditch clearance from John Arne Riise's cross, the ball going out for a Liverpool corner.

Wilfred Bouma clears from Jamie Carragher's chipped cross as Peter Crouch challenged for the ball.

This game has really yet to get going with Liverpool just about edging proceedings.

Villa clear with Peter Crouch looking to get onto the end of John Arne Riise's cross.

John Arne Riise drills a shot high and wide of the target from a Liverpool free-kick.

John Arne Riise volleys over the bar from a Liverpool set-piece taken by Luis Garcia.

Stiliyan Petrov gets his foot in to breifly relieve the pressure on the Villa goal as Liverpool push forward.

Dirk Kuyt is getting through a lot of early work for the Reds.

Dirk Kuyt fires high over the crossbar after being fed by a great pullback from Luis Garcia.

John Arne Riise robs Gabriel Agbonlahor of possession, allowing Liverpool to mount an attack.

Thomas Sorensen slices his clearance from Isaiah Osbourne's underhit back-pass.

Steve Bennett gets what is set to be a cracking clash underway.

Thomas Sorensen is back in the starting XI for Villa, replacing Stuart Taylor.

Isaiah Osbourne is named in the starting XI for Villa, but injury sees Gavin McCann miss out.

Dirk Kuyt has proved his fitness after struggling with an ankle injury for the Reds and starts the game.

Peter Crouch replaces the injured Mark Gonzalez for Liverpool in one change to the starting line-up that lost to Manchester United.