LIVERPOOL Under-21s recorded a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Langtree Park in their first league game in over a month.

Led out by Koby and Taylor Prescott, sons of the late Steve Prescott MBE, the Reds enjoyed the upper hand in the early stages.

An early chance fell for Michael Ngoo, whose header went straight to Villa 'keeper Bradley Watkins, while Reds 'keeper Danny Ward kept out Andras Stieber's fierce strike.

The dangerous Joao Carlos Teixeira was a constant threat as the Reds prised through the Villa defence.

They got their reward in the 25th minute, Samed Yesil converting from Teixeira's assist, the ball deflecting off a defender on its way into the Villa goal. Michael Ngoo doubled Liverpool's lead 10 minutes later, heading past Watkins from Brad Smith's cross.

The visitors came much stronger in the second half, enjoying several chances to pressure the Liverpool goal, Michael Drennan shooting straight at Liverpool 'keeper David Ward.

Texeira's curling long-range shot at the other end was just tipped over. The Reds were then denied a penalty shout when Smith was brought down in the area, Villa's Callum Ronbinson having a shot blocked at the opposite end.

As former Liverpool legends Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Rob Jones watched on in their roles at the club's academy set-up, the Reds youngsters nearly claimed a third in the late stages. Ngoo's low cross evaded everyone before Jordan Rossiter's header went just over the corner of the woodwork.