Downing hands Villa win

Stewart Downing produced the one moment of quality in a scrappy game to give Aston Villa a 1-0 win which was their their first victory at home to Liverpool since February 1998.

The England international fired home from a narrow angle off the underside of the crossbar in the 33rd minute to end the Reds' chances of overtaking fifth-placed Tottenham in the race for Europa League qualification.

Kenny Dalglish's side never really got themselves going, giving the Reds boss plenty to consider as he prepares for his first summer transfer window.

Substitute Marc Albrighton's first involvement having replaced Fabian Delph was to provide the cross which sailed over the defence to the unmarked Downing who smashed a shot past Jose Reina via the underside of the crossbar.

Either side of that the story of the half was of niggling fouls, injuries and scrappy play.

Liverpool lost Jay Spearing barely 10 minutes into the game having been fouled moments earlier by Nigel Reo-Coker, who was booked, and was replaced by Jonjo Shelvey.

Jamie Carragher temporarily had to leave the field to have stitches in a head wound after a clash with Lucas Leiva, who came closest to scoring for the Reds with a shot from a Raul Meireles corner cleared off the line by Ashley Young.

Joe Cole's disappointing afternoon was ended in the 67th minute when he was replaced by David Ngog.

Raul Meireles should have done better when Luis Suarez's cut-back took out the sliding Kyle Walker and James Collins but former Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Friedel clawed out his shot.

Ashley Young's withdrawal minutes from the end saw the player, entering the last year of his contract, applaud all four sides of the ground in what looked like a farewell.