Liverpool lose again

Last season’s runners-up Liverpool slumped to their second defeat of the English Premier League season yesterday when Aston Villa triumphed 3-1 at Anfield.



It was the first defeat to Villa in eight years and leaves Liverpool six points adrift of pacesetters Tottenham and Chelsea after three matches.



The damage was done before half time with Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva nodding into his own goal and goalkeeper Pepe Reina beaten by a header from Villa\'s Curtis Davies.



Fernando Torres pulled one back for Liverpool, but Villa\'s two-goal cushion was restored inside three minutes when Steven Gerrard conceded a penalty and Ashley Young successfully converted the spot kick.



Also yesterday, Sunderland advanced to the third round of the League Cup with a 4-1 victory at Norwich.