Aston Villa 0 Liverpool 0:  Aston Villa produced a dogged performance to halt their recent slump and hit Liverpool's hopes of claiming third spot in the Barclays Premiership.

This game will not last long in the memory with neither goalkeeper hardly called into meaningful action until Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen denied Reds' substitute Robbie Fowler in the 90th minute.

Villa will be the more satisfied with the outcome after winning only two of their previous 17 games - as a share of the spoils edges them nearer to safety.

The general impression was they were happy to settle for a point from the first whistle, with John Carew employed as the sole striker for lengthy periods.

Skipper Gareth Barry impressed in his first appearance since being axed by England and Carew demanded attention up front despite his lack of support.

Liverpool's performance was a million miles away from the euphoria which had greeted their two-legged triumph over Barcelona in the Champions League 11 days ago.

Daniel Agger was solid at the back for the visitors - but the normally inspirational Steven Gerrard failed to make an impression.

He also gave England coach Steve McClaren an injury scare in the first half when overstretching - but recovered sufficiently to play all but the final six minutes.

Villa had appeals for a penalty rejected in first half injury-time when Petrov appeared to be kicked on the leg by Steve Finnan — but referee Lee Mason waved play on.

Gerrard was switched into a more central role at the start of the second period, with Kuyt moving out wide.

The Liverpool skipper found Bellamy in space on the right and ran forward to try and meet the return pass — but Cahill was able to intercept at the expense of a corner.

Barry was one of the few Villa players showing anything like his best form and he threaded one pass through to Carew — but Reina was quickly off his line to gather from the Norwegian.

Another pass from Barry presented Carew with another half-chance but the striker screwed his shot across the face of goal.

Olof Mellberg headed a Young free-kick straight at Reina — the first save the Spaniard had to make, and a straightforward one.

Gerrard was wide with a low 25-yard drive before Reds boss Rafael Benitez brought on Xabi Alonso for the ineffective Sissoko after 59 minutes.

Robbie Fowler replaced Gerrard with six minutes left and almost won the game for Liverpool when his header was turned around the post by Sorensen.  PA