Hosting Liverpool dominated large parts of the opening exchanges, but Luis Suarez in particular was at fault for failing to convert the chances that they managed to create.

Their failure to find the net was punished with 29 minutes played courtesy of Benteke. Brett Holman picked out the Belgian international, who in turn beat Pepe Reina from around 25 yards out.

Christian Benteke celebrates his opener at Anfield on December 15, 2012 © PA Photos

Having gone in front, Villa continued to push forward in search of a second goal before the break.

It looked as though they were going to have to settle for one when Andreas Weimann lifted the ball over the crossbar after Glen Johnson's back pass, which was lacking in pace, had been intercepted by the young Austrian.

However, with five minutes of the half remaining Weimann did manage to find the net. Benteke turned provider this time, flicking the ball into Weimann's path and the attacker beat Reina from eight yards out.

Despite starting the second half brightly, the match was put beyond the reach of Liverpool with 51 minutes gone.

Villa keeper Brad Guzan celebrates the win over Liverpool on December 15, 2012 © PA Photos

Benteke won possession from substitute Joe Cole and then proceeded to go past Martin Skrtel and Joe Allen before sending the ball past Reina from inside the Liverpool area.

Brendan Rodgers's men went forward in search of a route back into the match and they had a couple of penalty shouts that were dismissed by the match official.

They did eventually manage to find the net with three minutes remaining when captain Steven Gerrard stooped inside the Villa area to send the ball beyond the reach of Brad Guzan in the Villa goal.

Gerrard's impact failed to inspire a late comeback for Liverpool though as Villa moved up to 14th in the Premier League table.