Liverpool midfielder James Milner has praised Daniel Sturridge after the striker's two-goal salvo against Aston Villa on Saturday.

The injury-plagued Sturridge made the difference at Anfield on Saturday as Brendan Rodgers's side recorded their first Premier League victory since August 17 with a 3-2 win, and Milner was delighted with the contribution of his teammate against the Villans.

Milner told the Liverpool Echo: "He's a top player. I saw something about his ratio of goals for Liverpool is better than [Luis] Suarez and people like that. That says everything you need to know. He's a great player with great quality.

"Studge is one of a great group of strikers we've got and he's a top-class player and hopefully he can keep doing what he's doing and stay fit. Any team would miss him."

Milner, who was signed from Manchester City on a free transfer in the summer, has taken over the captain's armband in Jordan Henderson's absence, and the midfielder is likely to skipper the side when they travel to local rivals Everton on Sunday.