Robbie Fowler gave watching England coach Terry Venables a timely reminder of his prowess, with a double strike, as Liverpool's resurgence continues.

They dominated the game from the first minute, with McManaman freeing Rob Jones down the right, before collecting the right-back's cross, only to see his shot blocked for a corner by Paul McGrath.

Villa 'keeper Mark Bosnich, returning after three games out with a knee injury, showed some early jitters by failing to cut out the resulting corner, but eventually found his form minutes later to deny Rush and pull off a smart save to deny Fowler.

But rampant Liverpool were not to be denied the breakthrough, though when it came in the 21st minute they had to rely on the intervention of the linesman, who ruled that Bosnich had controlled a Townsend back pass with his hands.

Rush tapped the free kick sideways to Neil Ruddock. whose cannonball shot burst through the massed ranks of the Villa defenders for his first goal of the season.

And Fowler increased the advantage six minutes later with the first or his two stunning strikes, scoring from the edge of the area with a shot that was no less ferocious than Ruddock's.

Villa looked set for a hiding but after Dean Saunders headed badly over and then saw claims for a penalty turned down the visitors snatched a goal seven minutes before the break.

Garry Parker found Guy Whittingham clear in the area and the former Portsmouth man beat David James with a low shot.

Dwight Yorke prodded a half chance over the bar soon after the interval, after Jones had seen his clearance roll just past the post before Liverpool struck again after 58 minutes.

Fowler's quick thinking was again decisive as he took advantage by beating a slow Bosnich with a crisp shot into the corner of the net.

Saunders gamely tried to drag Villa back and saw one stinging shot saved by the fingertips of James before skimming the bar with another effort.

McManaman ended a lightning break down the left by cutting inside and curling a shot just past the post.

Then Fowler was only inches away from his hat-trick.

Villa gave the scoreline a lopsided look when Steve Staunton netted against his former club, rolling the ball home after Whittingham's pressure on James had created the opening.