Djibril Cisse made a claim for a place in Liverpool's Champions League final team with both goals as their frustrating Barclays Premiership season ended on a high.

Liverpool were hanging on at the end, but the goals from Cisse in the first half were most welcome.

It took Villa a long time to realise that Liverpool's players were trying their hardest to avoid injuries which would rule them out of the May 25 date with AC Milan in Istanbul.

Gareth Barry pulled a goal back just after the hour mark and a previously out-of-sorts Villa had chances to go on and grab a point.

But Liverpool clung on to their lead and set off on their lap of honour, led by skipper Steven Gerrard who received an emotional response from the Kop.

Just behind him was manager Rafael Benitez, with his young daughters clad in Liverpool shirts bearing their names on the back. Benitez took his bow as the man who has taken the club to their sixth European Cup final.

Anfield rose to acclaim their heroes, giving them a passionate send-off with the hope that the players will return to the city in 11 days' time and parade another trophy.

But an erratic display suggests that Liverpool may struggle against Milan. The optimism looked to be born out of hope rather than judgement.

Liverpool rested a host of players with the European final in mind.

Gerrard and Luis Garcia were nursing minor muscle strains, while Jerzy Dudek, Sami Hyypia, Steve Finnan, Milan Baros and Dietmar Hamann were all on the bench with Djimi Traore also rested.

It meant that new England call-up Scott Carson played in goal and Josemi had his first match since December after knee problems.

Cisse started his first game since October, with his eyes of playing a starring role in Istanbul, knowing though that he would need to perform against Villa.

Jamie Carragher captained the side.

He was the only regular left in the back-line, and early on it was not surprising that a level of uncertainty filled the Liverpool ranks and Villa came forward with spirit and pace, particularly down the right where Nolberto Solano and young Steven Davis were effective.

In the second minute Davis had a hand in creating a decent chance for Lee Hendrie.

A clever backheel in the corner allowed Hendrie to get into the box, and his cross-shot was turned away by Carson at full stretch.

Liverpool had been patchy in their build-up, which prompted Carragher to surge forward from inside his own half, going past three players and then cruising into the box to slam a shot into the side netting.

That inspired Liverpool and with their next attack they were ahead.

Harry Kewell's 25-yard shot was palmed out by Thomas Sorensen, resulting in Cisse chasing after it towards the edge of the penalty area where Mark Delaney's rash challenge felled him.

Referee Barrie Knight pointed to the spot and Cisse took responsibility by firing low into the bottom corner, his fourth goal of the season and first since September at home to Norwich.

Villa were now showing the sort of brittle nature which has been too evident in their recent play, and they were two down on 27 minutes.

This time the Spanish contingent conjured a fine chance that Cisse clinically cracked home from 12 yards.

Xabi Alonso found Nunez on the right and the winger's flick sent Josemi tearing down the line.

He left Gareth Barry for dead with a dummy before laying the ball back for Cisse to slam past Sorensen.

Villa were struggling, and Harry Kewell and Nunez had chances to add further goals before the break.

The visitors replaced Darius Vassell, one of their many indifferent performers, at the break. Luke Moore took his place.

Two minutes into the second half, a limping Hendrie went off with Jlloyd Samuel coming on.

Moore looked more than interested. Pellegrino was slow to clear and the young striker cracked in a low shot that Carson saved instinctively with his left leg.

On the hour Baros came on for Kewell, while Villa took off the ineffective Juan Pablo Angel four minutes later, sending on Carlton Cole.

Villa were now looking far more involved. As Liverpool tried to hold what they had rather than exerting themselves further, it gave the Midlanders the incentive to attack.

They pulled one back after 67 minutes when Barry cracked home from six yards after Samuel's cross was headed on by Solano. Hamann came on for Igor Biscan soon after.

Villa were dangerous now every time they came forward, but Riise almost got Liverpool a third with a fierce 20-yard effort which rattled the bar.

Finnan took over from Nunez, filling a right-sided midfield role, Liverpool now looking to hang onto points they had looked certain to claim for the first hour.

When Moore's header from 12 yards hit the bar, Villa were almost level, but not quite.

Teams

Liverpool Carson, Josemi, Pellegrino, Carragher, Warnock, Nunez (Finnan 79), Alonso, Biscan (Hamann 70), Riise, Cisse, Kewell (Baros 60).

Subs Not Used: Dudek, Hyypia.

Goals: Cisse 20 pen, 27.

Aston Villa Sorensen, De la Cruz, Delaney, Laursen, Barry, Djemba-Djemba, Solano, Davis, Hendrie (Samuel 48), Vassell (Moore 45), Angel (Cole 64).

Subs Not Used: McCann, Henderson.

Goals: Barry 67.

Att: 43,406

Ref: B Knight (Kent).