London  - Liverpool's stuttering start to the season got even worse Monday as they were beaten 3-1 by Aston Villa.

A Lucas Leiva own-goal and a Curtis Davies header had Villa two up by half-time, and though Fernando Torres pulled one back, Ashley Young's penalty made the points safe for Villa.

After defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool had looked to have got their season back on track with a 4-0 victory over Stoke City on Wednesday, but an indifferent display and consequent defeat leaves them already six points behind leaders Tottenham and Chelsea just three games into the season.

"It was a frustrating night," Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said. "We had our chances, but we didn't take our chances. We made important mistakes at crucial times."

Villa had begun with a defeat, losing at home Wigan Athletic before a Europa League defeat in midweek.

But two first-half goals from set-pieces put them on the way to a first victory of the season.

"I'm delighted with the performance," Villa manager Martin O'Neill said. "I couldn't be more pleased. We put absolutely everything into the game."

The first came after 34 minutes, as Young's free-kick deflected off Lucas and past Jose Reina.

Then, in injury-time, extended as Reina kicked the ball away in disgust at the (correct) award of a corner, Davies escaped his marker at the near post and glanced in a neat header.

"Sometimes you think it's a bit too early, because they've got the whole second half to throw everything at us," said Davies.

"I'm not renowned for my scoring but it luckily got onto my head. Winning here is a massive result, and, hopefully, we can get a few more."

Liverpool had their chances, including one extraordinary scrambled effort after nine minutes, in which Torres and Steven Gerrard were denied by a flurry of defensive legs.

But, in the first half, particularly, they never found a consistent rhythm.

Liverpool needed a goal early in the second half if they were to get back into it, and they almost got it as Gerrard cut in from the right, but his effort was beaten away by Brad Friedel.

Kuyt then headed against the post, before finally, with 18 minutes remaining, Torres slammed in a cross from Emiliano Insua to make it 2-1.

But within two minutes, Gerrard chopped down Nigel Reo-Coker in the box, and Young converted the penalty.

Friedel was called on to make a fine reflex save as Insua's cross was deflected goalward off Carlos Cuellar, but Liverpool were well- beaten.

"We've been getting a few bullets in the press, and no matter how we did it it's a great achievement," said Friedel, who was named man of the match. (dpa)