LIVERPOOL 1 ASTON VILLA 1
Michael Owen's first Premiership goal since early November looked to have eased the pressure on Gerard Houllier, only for Dion Dublin to level matters with a second half penalty.
Dublin and Sami Hyypia clashed throughout like two warring warlocks, and were involved in a couple of flare-ups, but Liverpool obtained a grip on the proceedings with Owen shooting into the side-netting when perhaps he could have squared the ball to El Hadji Diouf.
John Arne Riise saw a shot deflect against the outside of a post, and young Neil Mellor forced Peter Enckelman to go full stretch to keep out a goalbound effort.
The goal finally arrived when Olof Mellberg failed to clear a Diouf cut-back, possibly handling the ball, and Owen showed his customary predatory instincts to find the net in style.
Chris Kirkland was clattered by Dublin and Ian Taylor, to spark another clash with Hyypia, but the keeper showed no ill effects when denying Taylor from sub Stefan Moore's cross.
However, an equaliser arrived when Paul Durkin decided Hyypia's challenge on Gareth Barry was worthy of a penalty, and Dublin calmly stepped up to beat Kirkland from the spot.
Dublin could have won it when he sent a free header over the bar, but Liverpool also went agonisingly close when Emile Heskey reacted swiftly to a Riise shot, but saw Enckelman pull off a tremendous save.
