Both players scored from early corners as the Reds ran riot against a Villa side lacking top scorers Darren Bent and Gabriel Agbonlahor up front.

The result means the Reds have lost just once in their past 14 matches and can now boast the same record at Villa Park as they try and keep the pressure on the sides above them in the Premier League.

It was a dominant performance from the visitors who should have scored far more than their two goals but poor finishing again robbed them of a more comfortable victory with Luis Suarez hitting the woodwork twice and other players failing to find the back of the net.

Villa failed to clear many clear-cut chances with Nathan Delfouneso heading over and a series of long-range shots failing to trouble Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal.

In a slow start to the match, Charlie Adam was lucky to escape a booking for a crude challenge on Delfouneso, but Stiliyan Petrov's free-kick was a routine save for Reina.

Stewart Downing was roundly booed by the home fans on his return to Villa Park despite being the club’s Player of the Season but after having one routine shot easily saved, it was his corner from the right which saw Liverpool take the lead.

Jonjo Shelvey's flick was met by Suarez who tried to copy the midfielder only to miss the ball. However, after Brad Guzan had saved it, the ball fell to Bellamy to bundle home from close range and give his side an early advantage.

Bellamy was in inspired form and causing the Villa back-line all sorts of problems and after his run earned another corner, he delivered the cross from the left which saw Skrtel beat Richard Dunne and Alan Hutton to the ball before flicking home his side's second goal after just 15 minutes.

Only Tottenham have scored more than one goal against Liverpool in the league this season but the home side responded with Charles N'Zogbia firing narrowly over from around 25 yards out before finding the side netting after a quick break and a pass from Delfouneso.

The visitors looked dangerous every time they got the ball on the flanks but Villa continued to press and probably should have pulled a goal back when Delfouneso headed over from around six yards out.

Liverpool started the second half like the first and should have had the game wrapped up in the opening minutes. First, Bellamy scampered down the left and crosses to the back post where Daniel Agger - who had started the move by winning the ball off Dunne - headed over.

Then moments later the Welshman dispossessed Hutton and played in Suarez who lost the ball to Dunne. However, the Uruguayan won it back, side-stepped Collins, then managed to hit the underside of the bar when he looked certain to score.

Suarez hit the post again from a delightful chip and then Adam was allowed to run in on goal but with Shelvey waiting for the pass, he opted to shoot from the edge of the box and his shot deflected off Collins and went wide.

Shelvey then had a chance to shoot after being teed up by Suarez but he could only blaze over.

As in the first half, the game quietened down towards the end with Liverpool happy to frustrate Villa's attacks.

Manager Kenny Dalglish took off Suarez and brought on Andy Carroll as his side eased to a comfortable victory.