THE dynamic goal scoring duo of Stan Collymore and Robbie Fowler struck again as Liverpool moved into position to harry Newcastle all the way up the finishing straight in the English Premiership title race.
In four devastating second half minutes, Collymore and Fowler both struck gold once more to end Aston Villa's recent run of rich form and extend the Merseysider's own unbeaten, sequence to 10 matches.
Anfield's strike force have now amassed 18 goals between them in that splendid run of results and Liverpool have now climbed above Manchester United to second place in the table.
Villa, all fire and brimstone, again showed what their revival under manager Brian Little this season has been all about.
At times, they stretched Liverpool to the limit with their aggressive, jet paced, attacking football but Liverpool showed a steely determination to pass their way out of pockets of pressure and trouble and their attitude was suitably rewarded in the end.
Collymore, who had seen a point blank header produce an incredible save by goalkeeper Mark Bosnich in the first half, finally made the crucial breakthrough just after the hour with a stunning strike, his 10th goal of the season, which left the Villa goalkeeper bewildered and bemused.
The £8.5million record buy dug his left foot into a short free kick by John Barnes and it bent and swerved from the corner of the penalty box, entering the net down the middle of the goal with Bosnich diving away from it.
That strike silenced the jeers of the Villa fans after Collymore had spectacularly wasted two earlier opportunities.
And within four minutes the home supporters were silenced completely when Fowler let fly with a piece of pure speculation from 30 yards and saw the ball bounce past the hapless Bosnich, to go in by the foot of the far post for his 24th goal of the season.
Defeat was tough on Villa who made the visitors sweat for their success. Trinidad and Tobago star Dwight Yorke and Serbian strike partner Savo Milosevic served up a constant threat as they persistently probed at Liverpool's back five.
Yorke was just off target with a lunging drive at Tommy Johnson's cross early in the second half and Milosevic almost lobbed goalkeeper David James from 25 yards after latching onto a faulty clearance.
The Liverpool goalkeeper needed every inch of his six foot five to pluck the ball out from under the crossbar.
But, just when Villa looked ready to join the chasing pack now nine points behind leaders Newcastle, Collymore and Fowler struck in quick succession to stun a best of the season crowd of 39,332.
Even then, Villa threatened to come back with all action centre back Ugo Ehiogu going forward to put a brace of efforts over the crossbar from promising positions.
With Villa totally committed to attack, the elusive Steve McManaman had the chance to punish them again but he dragged his shot wide at the end of a fast break which turned defender Alan Wright inside out.
