The Reds will face Middlesbrough in the next round thanks to Scott McTominay’s early eighth-minute winner against Steven Gerrard’s Villa side.
It was an edge-of-your-seat watch throughout a pulsating first half and the visitors dominated the second 45 minutes but couldn’t find the equaliser.
Villa had an Ings goal ruled out after a nail-biting VAR check that led to referee Michael Oliver overturning his decision after a look at the pitch-side TV monitor. The Midlanders also had one ruled out by Ollie Watkins for offside.
But a much-improved and energetic display from the Reds survived the onslaught and squeezed us through to secure the tie against Boro.