Late goal from Torres gifts Reds a crucial victory over Aston Villa

AFP - Fernando Torres's stoppage-time goal saw Liverpool to a 1-0 win away to Aston Villa on Tuesday as the Merseysiders reignited their bid for a Champions League place.

The match at a snow covered Villa Park was heading for a goalless draw until Spain striker Torres made the most of a defensive mix-up deep into added-on time with a precise and powerful finish past Brad Friedel.

Victory saw Liverpool leapfrog Birmingham into seventh place and close to within four points of a top four spot that will secure Champions League football next season for the five-times European Cup winners.

Defeat, Villa's second in as many games after their 3-0 loss away to third-placed Arsenal, left them in sixth place and revived doubts about their ability to sustain their bid to break into the leading quartet after they faltered at a similar stage last season.

At the other end of the table, Stephen Hunt was Hull City's hero with two goals as they came from 2-0 down to share the points in a 2-2 draw away to relegation rivals Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium.

Ivan Klasnic and Kevin Davies looked to have secured a win for Bolton that would have lifted the hosts out of the bottom three.

But midfielder Hunt struck twice in seven minutes after getting Hull on the scoresheet in the 71st minute.

The draw did little for either side's survival prospects, both teams staying in the relegation zone.

Reigning champions Manchester United, currently second, will cut Chelsea's lead to two points if they win at home to Wigan on Wednesday when Arsenal look to bolster their title challenge away to basement club Portsmouth.