Liverpool made a strong start to the match, as Philippe Coutinho threaded a pass into space before James Milner latched on to the ball and drilled a low shot past Brad Guzan on two minutes.

Liverpool's English midfielder James Milner (2nd R) scores his team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, north-west England, on September 26, 2015. © Getty Images

Emre Can and Sturridge both tested Guzan in the first 10 minutes, before Rudy Gestede missed two opportunities to find an equaliser for the visitors, as the striker headed straight at Simon Mignolet before firing wide with a volley.

Coutinho forced a good save from Guzan with a deflected shot, before Scott Sinclair looked for an equaliser from distance, but his effort fell straight to Mignolet.

After the break Milner forced a good save from Guzan, before Coutinho fired a free kick straight at the Villa keeper.

Liverpool's English striker Daniel Sturridge (2nd L) scores his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, north-west England, on September 26, 2015. © Getty Images

The match sprung to life on 58 minutes when Sturridge scored his first Premier League goal of the season to double Liverpool's lead, as the Birmingham-born striker struck a volley past a helpless Guzan.

The visitors pulled a goal back on 66 minutes as Hutton found Gestede, who finished past Mignolet from close range.

Just 70 seconds later Liverpool restored their two-goal cushion, as Coutinho found Sturridge in the penalty area, who produced a clinical finish past Guzan.

Rudy Gestede of Aston Villa celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield on September 26, 2015 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. © Getty Images

Gestede scored Villa's second goal on 71 minutes, as the former Blackburn Rovers man produced a fine header from an inviting Jordan Amavi cross.

Coutinho forced a save from Guzan with a free kick from 25 yards, before Micah Richards headed over the bar from a Jordan Veretout set piece at the other end of the pitch.

Sturridge could have completed a hat-trick before the final whistle, but the England international fired wide with a deflected shot.