But there was worse to come when Steven Gerrard converted from the spot to condemn Paul Lambert's men to a 15th Premier League defeat of the season.
Matthew Lowton swept a beautiful ball into the path of Gabriel Agbonlahor but the striker somehow managed to fire straight at Pepe Reina when it appeared easier to score.
Liverpool also came close a few minutes later when Luis Suarez stung Brad Guzan's hands with a powerful left-foot shot on the turn.
Suarez threatened again midway through the first half but Nathan Baker used his physical presence to force the striker to fire wide when well placed.
Ashley Westwood arrowed a long ball towards Agbonlahor and his neat touch teed up Benteke to lash home an instinctive first-time effort.
Liverpool should have been level in the 41st minute but Suarez saw his effort blocked by the legs of Guzan after Barry Bannan's misplaced pass had put him in on goal.
Philippe Coutinho played the perfect ball to unlock the Villa defence and Henderson burst clear before calmly dinking it beyond Guzan.
With his side back on level terms, Gerrard gave Lee Mason a mouthful after the match official booked him for a mistimed challenge on Agbonlahor.
Coutinho should have put Liverpool in front in the 55th minute but dragged his shot agonisingly wide after being set free by Suarez.
And the Reds were unlucky not to find the net two minutes later when Glen Johnson's deflected effort thumped against the post.
But they were gifted the chance to go ahead when Baker sliced through Suarez to concede a penalty, which Gerrard promptly dispatched on the hour mark.
With the game seemingly slipping away from the hosts, Benteke saw Gerrard acrobatically clear his goalbound header off the line.
But for all Villa's hustle and bustle in the closing stages, they needed Guzan to keep the score respectable by twice denying Suarez.
Aston Villa: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, Bennett, Sylla (El Ahmadi 76), Westwood, Bannan (Delph 62), Weimann (N'Zogbia 62), Benteke, Agbonlahor. Subs not used: Given, Bowery, Dawkins, Lichaj. Booked: Westwood.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Agger, Carragher, Jose Enrique, Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson, Coutinho (Sterling 77), Downing,Suarez. Subs not used: Jones, Sturridge, Coates, Suso, Shelvey, Skrtel. Booked: Gerrard.
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