Humble pie anyone?
Many Villans had doubted Martin O'Neill's tactics and motives after the 2-0 collapse at home to Wigan on the opening day of the season but how the manager and his troops have turned it around.
Yes, it may only be one result and there is no need for a knee-jerk reaction as such, but this was a truly stunning win.
An own goal from Lucas Leiva and a goal from Curtis Davies put the away side 2-0 up at half time and, although Fernando Torres got one back, Ashley Young rounded things off from the spot.
Villa went into the game without a win against the Reds in eight years, ironically that too was a 3-1 win on Merseyside.
Liverpool were unbeaten in 31 Premier League games going into the encounter and they had annihilated their opponents 5-0 in the corresponding fixture last season.
O'Neill's critics were sharpening their knives, ready to butcher the manager who had obtained two top six finishes in the last two campaigns.
Some fans called for his head, others were prepared to give him time - but not much. And then this. A superb win which encapsulated all that is great about Aston Villa F.C.
Firstly the fans must be given a mention. They travelled in their hordes to Merseyside for a Monday night fixture which was televised.
How many other bands of supporters would sell out their allocation on an occasion such as this? Fair enough, most of the tickets were probably bought before the two disheartening defeats of the last week, but let that not detract from the loyalty of the Villa faithful.
What they witnessed was a predominantly English side with desire, drive and, most importantly of all, talent overhaul a team dubbed as title-chasers.
System
Nigel Reo-Coker and Steve Sidwell, men charged with filling Gareth Barry's boots and then left out in the cold against Wigan were included in midfield.
It was a return to the extremely successful 4-5-1 system which saw Villa win many an away game last season. It was the structure which helped them to claim 10 victories from 19 trips and the one which was altered when Emile Heskey was signed in January.
Heskey, incidentally, was left on the bench as Gabby Agbonlahor ploughed a lone furrow. It meant that all the speed and verve which served O'Neill so well during the first part of the last campaign was restored and Villa were back to their best.
The Claret and Blue went behind in the first minute against Rapid Vienna on Thursday and there was nearly a carbon copy as Liverpool started strongly in this encounter.
Midfielder Yossi Benayoun almost scored with just 30 seconds on the clock but after he beat Brad Friedel in the air, he saw his header drift just wide.
Friedel, who had a quite magnificent evening, was on hand to stop Steven Gerrard minutes later as he diverted the ball over with his leg.
Gerrard had seemed certain to score but he was left frustrated by the brilliance of the American.
Villa gradually gained a foothold in the game and after two early scares they went ahead in fortuitous fashion. Lucas Leiva inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net after Young's free-kick put him under pressure.
It may not have been pretty but to the travelling faithful it meant so much. Their side had got off the mark for the season at one of the toughest places to score in the Premier League. Brilliant.
Defender Davies then added insult to injury for the hosts as he headed in at the near post on the stroke of half-time.
Stubborn
Villa went down the tunnel with a sense of relief hovering in the air. The pre-match smog had been lifted and the shackles were off. The Claret and Blue were back in business.
An onslaught was expected in the second half but, although Rafa Benitez had clearly fired his side up, they lacked the imagination to break down a stubborn opposition defence.
Reo-Coker, Sidwell and Stiliyan Petrov were a tri-umph in midfield as they snuffed out Gerrard time and time again.
The England midfielder became increasingly frustrated as he seeped over the half-way line into his own half to pick up the ball. You could say he was playing the Xabi Alonso role, how Liverpool miss the Spaniard.
Vila took full advantage of the void and despite Emmanuel Insua teeing up Torres for an easy reply, the tenacity of the travelling side showed no sign of letting up.
Reo-Coker made a typically lung-bursting run into the box and the forlorn figure of Gerrard charged after him only to see his sliding challenge result in a spot-kick.
Young stepped up, put the ball past Reina and celebrated in front of his adoring fans. Villa had done it. What a game, what a win.
O'Neill had admitted defeat in terms of formation and consequently claimed an immense victory.
He will now get back to the phones as he seeks new signings before the window slams shut in a week but after this performance it is fine tuning not a complete overhaul that is required.
Fans and players alike will know that reinforcements are needed but for tonight let us all enjoy some of that pie.