Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa

Luis Suarez rescued a point for Liverpool as they drew 1-1 with Aston Villa on Saturday.

It was the home side who started the stronger, but Aston Villa might have taken the lead with an effort from Emile Heskey after three minutes, but Jamie Carragher made the block.

Liverpool were next to come close via Dirk Kuyt after seven minutes, but Villa goalkeeper Shay Given was on hand to make a smart save.

It was Villa who took the lead, however, after 10 minutes when Chris Herd found a cool finish inside the area after good work from Barry Bannan.

James Collins so nearly made it 2-0 for Villa with a header after 20 minutes, as Liverpool continued to struggle for openings.

Liverpool pushed for an equaliser in the latter stages of the half, with Steven Gerrard leading the charge, but Villa remained a threat on the break.

Kuyt so nearly equalised moments before the break, but the Dutchman somehow fired over from close range.

Liverpool nearly levelled the score after 54 minutes when Gerrard found Suarez in the box, but his header smashed off the post.

Craig Bellamy and Andy Carroll were introduced for the home side as the match approached its final 25 minutes, and the changes immediately sparked a penalty shout for the home side, but the referee waved play on with Villa defender Stephen Warnock seemingly handling the ball in the area.

Carroll might have levelled the match with an effort after 76 minutes, before Bellamy smashed the post with little over 10 minutes remaining.

The equaliser eventually came for the home side after 82 minutes when Suarez converted from close range after Given had flapped at a cross.

Liverpool looked the most likely to win it late on, but Carroll fired wide in the best chance of the match.

The point moves the home side into eighth in the Premier League table, while Aston Villa remain 15th.