Aston Villa’s inability to defend set-pieces was cruelly exposed again as Craig Bellamy and Martin Skrtel both scored from corners to give Liverpool the win.

Kenny Dalglish’s men took the lead in the 11th minute when Bellamy poked the ball home from close range and, four minutes later, Skrtel’s glancing header doubled the lead.

It was plain sailing for the visitors from that point forward and, despite a few fleeting chances for Charles N’Zogbia, it was Brad Guzan who was comfortably the busier of the two goalkeepers.

Villa boss Alex McLeish made three enforced changes from the side which won 2-1 at Bolton as suspension and injuries took their toll.

The claret and blues were without Gabby Agbonlahor, who was serving a one-match ban, while Darren Bent was left out after the he picked up a thigh injury and Chris Herd also missed out with an ankle knock.

Emile Heskey was recalled to the side to face his former club, while Nathan Delfouneso was handed his first Premier League start of the season and Fabian Delph started in midfield.

Villa awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position when Charlie Adam scythed down Delfouneso, but Stiliyan Petrov’s curling shot was comfortably saved by Liverpool goalkeeper.

But it was Liverpool who took an early lead, as Villa continued their unhealthy habit of conceding goals from set-piece situations.

Stewart Downing, who was booed every time he touched the ball by the home fans, delivered a low inswinging corner which was flicked on by Jonjo Shelvey, who set up Luis Suarez, but Guzan could only block the Uruguay international’s cheeky back-heel.

James Collins missed the opportunity to clear the loose ball and Welsh compatriot Bellamy was on hand to stab the ball home from inside the six-yard box.

Liverpool doubled their lead from another flag kick four minutes later when Bellamy whipped in a vicious inswinging delivery and Skrtel used his strength to outmuscle Alan Hutton, after losing marker Richard Dunne, to glane a header past Guzan.

Villa’s lacked conviction going forward, but there were brief moments of encouragement when N’Zogbia hit on the counter attack.

Petrov laid the ball into the path of N’Zogbia in the 21st minute, but his drive from 30 yards went inches over the bar.

Two minutes later, Delfouneso spread an intelligent ball to the edge of the box which N’Zogbia took in his stride, but his low left-shoot found the side netting.

Liverpool should have added a third shortly after the half-time break when Suarez outfoxed Dunne and Collins, but saw his shot crash back out off the crossbar.

Guzan was called into action when Warnock’s poor clearance dropped to Glen Johnson, who lashed a powerful effort which forced the American to make a fine diving save.

Suarez almost scored a lovely goal in the 58th minute after controlling a long pass by Downing and produced a sublime chip over Guzan, but the ball rebounded back off the post.

Moments later, Suarez threaded a clever ball through to Shelvey with the outside of his boot and Guzan made a brilliant reaction save.

Liverpool continued to look dangerous on the counter attack as the second-half wore on and appeared to settle for the two-goal margin, which partially allowed Villa back into the game.

But save for a few dangerous set-piece into the box – which were dealt with by goalkeeper Pepe Reina – the claret and blues’ toothless attack rarely troubled the Liverpool defence.