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DANIEL STURRIDGE opened the scoring for Liverpool as the Reds thrashed bottom club Aston Villa to move up to eighth in the Premier League. Sturridge, making his first league start since October, headed home before James Milner’s free-kick crept in after being missed by keeper Mark Bunn.

Emre Can rifled in a shot, Divock Origi slotted home and Nathaniel Clyne bundled in to add to the Reds’ lead.
Kolo Toure headed in a sixth as Villa were punished for a poor performance.

The home side’s disgruntled fans started streaming out of Villa Park following Liverpool’s fifth after 65 minutes and there were plenty of empty seats at the final whistle.

It is the first time Villa have conceded six at home in a league game since October 1983 and leaves the Midlands side eight points from safety with 12 games left. — BBC Sport