Craig Bellamy inspired Liverpool to their fifth away league win of the season by scoring one goal and creating another in the space of four minutes.

The former Manchester City man fired home from close range after Jonjo Shelvey's clever flick created the opening from Stewart Downing's corner.

Bellamy then swung in a 15th-minute corner for Martin Skrtel to head home.

Charles N'Zogbia's effort in the first half was the closest Aston Villa came as they slumped to their fifth defeat.

Villa's final-day win over Liverpool at the end of last season was their first in 13 attempts but with the Reds having only one defeat in their 10 previous games before this visit, it was always going to be tough for the hosts.

And Alex McLeish's side's task was made even harder as a sluggish start saw them two down after only 15 minutes.

Downing, making his first visit to Villa Park since his £20m move in the summer to Anfield, squandered an early chance to a chorus of sarcastic cheers from the home faithful.

However, the Villa fans were soon silenced when Downing whipped in a corner that Shelvey diverted goalwards.

Luis Suarez attempted a trick of his own that Guzan blocked but Villa's second-choice keeper could do nothing to deny Bellamy smashing home.

Four minutes later, Skrtel grabbed his second goal of the season to double the visitors' advantage with Bellamy turning provider with a pacey corner that the Slovakian defender rose above Alan Hutton to head in.

With Gabriel Agbonlahor suspended and Darren Bent a late withdrawal because of injury, McLeish was missing his two top scorers and it was obvious as they created little in a first half that Liverpool dominated.

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Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool English Premier League 2011-12 epl "Liverpool F.C." "Aston Villa F.C." Football Manchester "Association Football" Unite