Watch Liverpool Vs Aston Villa highlights as Arne Slot’s Reds extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Ahead of kickoff, champions Manchester City were beaten 2-1 at Brighton, meaning a win for Liverpool would send them five points clear ahead of the international break.
And that’s exactly what they did. Darwin Nunez broke the deadlock after 20 minutes, racing onto a loose ball as Mohamed Salah and Leon Bailey collided during a counter-attack.
The Uruguayan rounded Emi Martinez in the Villa net and fired home the opener.
Nunez should have scored a second shortly after. Another Liverpool break sent him through on goal, but the striker blasted his shot over the bar this time.
Villa then had the better chances on either side of half-time. Two top-rate saves from Caoimhin Kelleher at the other end kept the visitors out.
First Amadou Onana and then Diego Carlos were denied from close range, before Morgan Rogers fired wide after the break.
The second half was a more cagey affair. Villa were aggrieved not to have been given a penalty when Pau Torres had his shirt pulled in the box by Conor Bradley, but the VAR determined there was no foul.
Mo Salah then sealed the three points for Liverpool in the closing stages. Another swift counter-attack sent the Egyptian clear after a mistake from Diego Carlos.
Salah then calmly slotted it past Martinez at the near post, to score in his fourth straight league game for Liverpool.
Watch: Liverpool Vs Aston Villa Highlights
Liverpool have now won nine of their 11 Premier League games under new boss Arne Slot.
They are 15 from 17 in all competitions, and moved five points clear at the top of the table after Manchester City’s defeat at Brighton.
Villa meanwhile have faltered somewhat lately, losing their fourth straight game in all competitions.
Unai Emery’s team dropped to eighth in the table, though still only one point below third-placed Nottingham Forest in an extremely congested chasing pack ahead of Sunday’s games.
Next up, Liverpool travel to bottom side Southampton after the international break, while Villa host Crystal Palace.
