Steven Gerrard fired a 25-meter bullet to give Liverpool a winning start of the Premiership season after beating hosts Aston Villa 2-1. The Liverpool captain secured the victory in the 78th minute, just two minutes after Gareth Barry put Villa level from the spot. Liverpool grabbed the lead in the first-half through an own goal from defender Martin Laursen. Earlier on Saturday, coach Sam Allardyce led Newcastle United to a 3-1 victory over his old side Bolton Wanderers. Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins scored twice for Allardyce's side after Charles N'Zogbia's set-piece opened the score line. Nicolas Anelka scored the consolation goal for Bolton. In other matches, Derby County tied Portsmouth 2-2 and Everton edged 1-0 past Wigan Athletic and Manchester United beat West Ham 2-0. Holders Manchester United will kick-off their campaign against Reading on Sunday, while Chelsea and Arsenal play Birmingham and Fulham respectively.