Martin O'Neill brought his unbeaten side to Anfield looking to heap more misery on Rafa Benitez's stuttering Liverpool outfit.
After last week's dismal result against arch rivals Manchester United, the Reds were seeking to restore some pride and add a few much needed points to their league tally.
Ex-Villa man Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt were paired up front as injury ruled out Welsh striker Craig Bellamy.
Milan Baros was hoping to celebrate his 100th Premiership appearance against his old side with a goal as he partnered Juan Pablo Angel as both sides went with attacking formations.
Liverpool started much the brighter of the two sides and Kuyt had the opportunity to put Liverpool ahead in the sixth minute after a dogged run by Luis Garcia ended in a low cross. The Dutchman though failed to hit the target from 12 yards out.
After Olof Mellberg pushed Crouch on 12, John Arne Riise hit a powerful free-kick that just rose over Thomas Sorensen's crossbar.
Crouch had a free header from a Steven Gerrard pass on 22 minutes, but the beanpole striker directed his effort at the floor and the ball bounced over the Villa goal.
Liverpool were showing their dominance but the lack of striker with the presence to take control of the game was evident and a source of frustration to the home crowd
Kuyt put Liverpool ahead on 31 after Alonso's floated ball from midfield found the head of Sami Hyypia who headed down for the former Feyenoord hitman to fire his third league goal of the season.
A minute earlier, Mellberg had received a yellow card for a cynical challenge on Momo Sissoko.
Aston Villa looked far from a team enjoying a ten-game unbeaten run and it was no surprise on 38 when Crouch made it 2-0.
The striker beat Aaron Hughes to the ball to fire into the left side of Sorensen's net after Mellberg scuffed an attempted clearance from Steve Finnan's cross
Just five minutes later a beautiful move involving Gerrard, Kuyt, Crouch and Garcia put the game beyond reach as the Spaniard ended a one-touch passing master class by sliding the ball under body of the incoming Villa goalkeeper.
Baros and Angel were replaced by Chris Sutton and Didier Agathe as a shell-shocked Martin O'Neill attempted to salvage some respectability from the game.
The Irishman's decision paid instant dividends as Gabriel Agbonlahor pulled one back after a neat through ball from Sutton allowed the youngster to fire past a despairing Jose Reina on 56 minutes.
However, the game settled back into a familiar pattern with the rejuvenated Reds looking to widen the scoreline still further. The best chance coming when Garcia fired just wide across Sorensen's goal on 65 minutes.
But Villa showed they were not totally out of it as Reina was forced to make an outstanding reaction save from Sutton's powerful header. Stilian Petrov's wonderfully balanced free-kick found the former Blackburn man rising above the Reds defence but Reina was equal to it.
Steven Davis replaced Isaiah Osbourne for Villa and Jermaine Pennant, Bolo Zenden and Robbie Fowler came on for Crouch, Garcia and Gerrard in the last 15 minutes as the game stuttered to a conclusion, with Liverpool coming closest to a goal in the closing stages.