Villa bounced back to form in spectacular fashion after going to Anfield and putting three past Liverpool.

The tide turned against the much-fancied Reds when Lucas deflected Ashley Young’s cross into his own net in the 34th minute, before Curtis Davies and a Young penalty sealed a famous win.

Fernando Torres’ close-range finish in the 72nd minute, with the home side 2-0 down, had been a glimmer of hope.

It came after Davies, who nearly didn’t play with a shoulder injury, had punished slack marking to head home Nicky Shorey’s corner in first-half stoppage time.

And the claret and blues’ golden chance to seal the win came three’s minutes after Torres pulled one back, when the usually dependable Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard inexplicably lunged at Nigel Reo-Coker in the area.

Young’s cool finish settled matters for Martin O’Neill’s side.