Aston Villa missed the chance to move out of the relegation zone this afternoon, falling to a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Liverpool.

Villa took the lead on the half-hour mark when Christian Benteke smashed a half-volley in from the edge of the box.

Liverpool equalised just a minute after the restart through Jordan Henderson, before Steven Gerrard netted the winner from the penalty spot.

Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at an entertaining 90 minutes of football.

Match statistics:

Aston Villa:
Shots 10
On target 7
Possession 47%
Corners 7
Fouls 9

Liverpool:
Shots 16
On target 12
Possession 53%
Corners 8
Fouls 8

Was the result fair?

Yes. The first half was very even, but Villa created the most clear-cut chances so probably deserved the lead at half time. However, the second half was a different story and Henderson's early goal changed the match completely. From then on Liverpool dominated and their superiority was rewarded with the goals.

Aston Villa's performance

It was a mixed performance from Villa today. They were good in the first half and certainly didn't look like a team in the relegation zone. Benteke looked dangerous up front and they were coping reasonably well with Liverpool's significant attacking threat. However, they never really recovered from Henderson's goal at the start of the second half and they were second best for the vast majority of that time.

Liverpool's performance

The Reds struggled to reach their best in the first half as Villa grew into the game and made things difficult for them. They had a few openings but they were capable of playing much better. They looked a lot more comfortable in the second half, however, controlling possession and dictating the tempo of the game. Once they took the lead, they never looked like relinquishing it.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Steven Gerrard: So often the Liverpool skipper has saved his side, and today was no different. Not only did Gerrard score the penalty that ultimately proved to be the winner, but he also came up with a magnificent clearance from underneath his own crossbar when Benteke looked to have scored. He ran the game once Liverpool took the lead and was at the centre of everything the visitors did.

Biggest gaffe

This one has to go to Gabriel Agbonlahor's miss in the first half. Matthew Lowton produced a perfect low ball into the box that Agbonlahor latched onto, but he shot straight at Pepe Reina from just six yards out. It was a gilt-edge chance that he really should have scored.

Referee performance

Lee Mason had a good game in charge of this match. The biggest decision he had to make regarded the penalty, but Nathan Baker pretty much made that decision for him with a rash sliding challenge. It was clearly a penalty and Mason had no choice but to point to the spot.

What next?

Aston Villa: Villa will continue their battle against relegation away to Stoke City next Saturday.

Liverpool: Liverpool host West Ham in their next match, which could see a return to Anfield for loanee striker Andy Carroll.