Gabriel Agbonlahor’s ninth minute goal was enough to give Aston Villa a shock 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield in the late Saturday kick-off of the Premier League.
The Nigerian born attacker scored the winner when he reacted quickest to a loose ball off Philippe Senderos’ header in the area to slot past Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal.
Mario Balotelli had glanced a header just wide minutes before Agbonlahor’s goal and the Italian shot wide soon after, as did Adam Lallana as Liverpool searched for a way back.
That almost came for the Reds in the closing stages of the encounter when Philippe Coutinho bounced of the post, but Villa held on for a third win in four league matches this season.
The result lifts Aston Villa to second on the Premier League table with 10 points, two points behind leaders Chelsea that came from a goal down town 4-2 at home to Swansea City earlier on Saturday. Swansea is a point behind Villa in third place.
In other matches on Saturday, newly promoted Leicester City came away from the Brittania with a 1-0 win over Stoke City while Crystal Palace and Burnley played out a goalless draw in a match Burnley had a late penalty saved.
Sunday will see Manchester United host Queens Park Rangers with Radamel Falcao expected to make his debut for the Red Devils as well as Daley Blind while Rio Ferdinand returns to face his former club.