Liverpool’s ongoing hoodoo when Aston Villa visits continued into a third consecutive game on Saturday.

Brendan Rodgers was left counting the cost leaving in-form winger Raheem Sterling on the bench despite his exploits for England during the international break.

Villa’s one-goal win moved them second in the League table as they extended their unbeaten start to the season.

Paul Lambert’s side silenced Anfield when they took the lead after just 10 minutes as Gabriel Agbonlahor pounced to turn in an Ashley Westwood corner after Philippe Senderos was denied by Javi Manquillo in the build-up.

Westwood was the architect again when the visitors almost doubled their advantage, with Senderos allowed to head the midfielder’s free-kick unmarked just over Simon Mignolet’s crossbar.

Mario Balotelli was on the receiving end of a series of hefty challenges from Senderos in the first half, with one incident in particular riling the Anfield crowd as he was left lying on the turf clutching his ankle after the defender kicked the Italian off the ball while he was running.

On the stroke of half time Balotelli unleashed an ambitious effort on the edge of the penalty area, minutes after teeing up Adam Lallana for a shot that whistled just past Brad Guzan’s left-hand post, but an Andreas Weimann deflection saw it take a looping detour before flying wide.

Liverpool’s best chance fell to Philippe Coutinho who nearly produced a stunning equaliser as he fired a curling long-range effort that cannoned back off the base of Guzan’s goalpost.