Liverpool slumped to their second Premier League defeat in nine days as they lost 3-1 to Aston Villa to put their title credentials firmly on the line.
Villa produced a defiant, organised display and deserved their first win at Anfield since 2001.
The result also ended Liverpool's 31-match unbeaten home league record stretching back to December 2007, when Manchester United were the last winners at Anfield.
But the spotlight will now be on Liverpool, who only lost twice in the league last season and still did not win the title.
A taste of what was to follow came from Villa's first chance when Davies met a Nicky Shorey cross with a strong header, but it went straight at Jose Reina, while Torres and Steven Gerrard had efforts blocked.
Villa opened the scoring after 33 minutes when Lucas gave away a needless free-kick in midfield. Young swung the set-piece towards the near post, and it was the unfortunate Lucas who rose to head the ball past Reina for an own-goal.
Then, from that disputed corner, Villa found themselves two up. Shorey's cross swung into the near post and was headed home by Davies just before the break.
Dirk Kuyt then hit a post but after 72 minutes Liverpool finally gave themselves some hope when Emiliano Insua got down the left and rolled the ball into the six-yard box for Torres to score.
Two minutes later Liverpool were back in despair and Villa celebrating. Shorey's pass into the path of Reo-Coker saw the midfielder surge into the box only to be felled by Gerrard's desperate tackle.
It was a clear penalty and Young stepped up to restore Villa's two-goal lead.So it was a good win for Aston Villa.
The result also ended Liverpool's 31-match unbeaten home league record stretching back to December 2007, when Manchester United were the last winners at Anfield.
But the spotlight will now be on Liverpool, who only lost twice in the league last season and still did not win the title.
A taste of what was to follow came from Villa's first chance when Davies met a Nicky Shorey cross with a strong header, but it went straight at Jose Reina, while Torres and Steven Gerrard had efforts blocked.
Villa opened the scoring after 33 minutes when Lucas gave away a needless free-kick in midfield. Young swung the set-piece towards the near post, and it was the unfortunate Lucas who rose to head the ball past Reina for an own-goal.
Then, from that disputed corner, Villa found themselves two up. Shorey's cross swung into the near post and was headed home by Davies just before the break.
Dirk Kuyt then hit a post but after 72 minutes Liverpool finally gave themselves some hope when Emiliano Insua got down the left and rolled the ball into the six-yard box for Torres to score.
Two minutes later Liverpool were back in despair and Villa celebrating. Shorey's pass into the path of Reo-Coker saw the midfielder surge into the box only to be felled by Gerrard's desperate tackle.
It was a clear penalty and Young stepped up to restore Villa's two-goal lead.So it was a good win for Aston Villa.
