A second-half comeback from Liverpool consigned Aston Villa to what could prove to be a very costly defeat in their battle against relegation from the English Premier League.

Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard, courtesy a penalty after Luis Suarez had been brought down by Nathan Baker, struck within the first 15 minutes of the second period to give Liverpool all three points after Christian Benteke had put the home side ahead with a brilliant first-time strike in the first half.

The win keeps Liverpool in seventh on 48 points from 31 games, and crucially seven points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who albeit have a game in hand.

"Our character was outstanding today," Rodgers told Sky Sports. "I thought we played reasonably well in the first half but we made a mistake and were punished by a good finish from Benteke.

"I thought we created chances in the first half and second half we upped the tempo and going forward we were excellent.

"Defensively we were nice and solid so it was a terrific win for us. Paul's teams always go right to the end and it was tough for us.

"Our quality was there as was our drive and determination. I thought that tactically we adapted very well and overall I'm very, very pleased.

"After losing the previous game (against Southampton) you want to bounce back and we did that."

Villa remain third bottom on 30 points with only goal difference separating Paul Lambert's side from Wigan, who are seventeenth having played a game less.

"I thought first half we were excellent -- I really did," Lambert said. There wasn't much in it in the second half but we never had the fluency which we did have in the first half, but you can't give away goals like we did. It was a definite penalty, I've just seen it."

Lambert insisted his players still had the confidence to fight their way out of relegation, with just seven games remaining in the season. "It's a collective thing," he added. "Everyone is in it together and we move along to the next game. We are certainly playing well enough to win games.

"We're certainly playing well enough and we don't look like a team who are down the bottom at the minute. If we keep going we'll win more games than not.

"Confidence is a big part of the game. We are not lacking in that. We are making errors because we're young but the confidence is there."