Villa 1 Liverpool 0

Stewart Downing scored the only goal of the game as Villa's season ended on a winning note with a hard-earned victory over Liverpool.

The claret and blues' player of the season finished superbly at the back post in the 33rd minute after he was picked out by a brilliant cross from Marc Albrighton.

Assistant boss Gary McAllister stuck with the same starting line-up which saw Villa claim a 2-1 over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium as they lined up with a 4-5-1 formation.

After a subdued start the visitors went close in the 13th minute from a Raul Meireles corner which fell to the feet of Lucas, but the goalkeeper saw his shot blocked on the line by Ashley Young.

Goalkeeper Brad Friedel had to be alert five minutes later to come off his line to clear a long ball which Luis Suarez had to run on to.

A series of injuries and substitutions disrupted the flow of the game but Villa took the lead in the 33rd minute after some neat build-up play involving Darren Bent and Albrighton.

The young winger delivered a deep cross to the back post which picked out Downing who controlled the ball before he smashed a powerful shot which flew past Jose Reina into the roof the net from an acute angle.

Liverpool had a chance to equalise six minutes before the half-time interval when Meireles curled a free-kick into the penalty area but Martin Skrtel was unable to get the decisive touch.

Kenny Dalglish's side were presented with a good opportunity from a free-kick 10 minutes after the break but Meireles saw his delivery from the edge of the box headed clear by the commanding presence of Richard Dunne.

It continued to be Liverpool who looked the more likely side to score as the game wore and they were presented with their best chance in the 61st minute.

Suarez sold the Villa defence a brilliant dummy and laid the ball to Meireles who went for placement rather than power and Friedel save brilliantly as he clawed the goal-bound shot away.

James Collins had a chance to double Villa's advantage four minutes later when Young picked him out from a free-kick on the right flank but the Welsh defender got the ball caught under his feet.

Fabio Aurelio went close with a well-struck free-kick in the 72nd minute which whistled past the post before Young played in Bent moments later but his long-range shot was comfortably saved by Reina.

Villa had a golden opportunity to seal the points when Albrighton found Bent inside the penalty and he drilled a low ball across the six-yard box but substitute Gabby Agbonlahor could not get a touch as he slid in at the back post with the goal gaping.

Petrov hit a low drive in the 80th minute which was saved by Reina but the crowd attention switched their attentions to dramatic events elsewhere as the game petered out.