Liverpool come from behind to revive Villa's woes

Trailing at the break, Liverpool FC staged a spirited second-half comeback to defeat Aston Villa FC 2-1 at Villa Park and move three points behind sixth-placed Everton FC. 

Third from bottom before kick-off, Paul Lambert's men nonetheless had reason to believe following back-to-back wins for the first time this season. With seven goals in his last eight league outings, it came as little surprise when Christian Benteke broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark. Collecting Ashley Westwood's fine floated pass, Gabriel Agbonlahor teed up the Belgian striker and he swept the ball beyond Pepe Reina.

The home side were almost architects of their own downfall before the break, though, as Luis Suárez snaffled Barry Bannan's stray pass and fired into the feet of Brad Guzan. Liverpool continued to probe in the second half and ended the hosts' resolve when Jordan Henderson took receipt of Coutinho's perfectly weighted pass and finished unerringly past Guzan.

Villa's vulnerable back line was punctured again moments later as Suárez picked out Coutinho, who pulled a shot wide, before Glen Johnson's deflected effort came back off a post. Steven Gerrard would make no mistake from the spot two minutes later, however, arrowing the ball into the corner after Suárez had been tripped by Nathan Baker. The England captain later nodded a Benteke header off the line.