Both the teams had decent chances to break the deadlock but were denied by some good keeping and poor finishing. Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was taunted by the Villa Park faithful throughout the match with some fans going as far as hurling personal abuses at the Spanish manager.

Benitez opted for caution at the start of the match with Liverpool fielding five in the midfield. Robbie Keane was shifted to the left flank and the former Tottenham Hotspur striker looked short of confidence or ideas at a relatively new position.

The visitors' hopes of sneaking in a win received a big blow when star striker Fernando Torres limped off the field with a hamstring injury and was replaced by David Ngog. The 19-year old striker almost broke the deadlock just before the half time whistle but was unable to convert from close range after Keane had done well to find the striker.

Both the sides struggled to create any real chances in the first half with John Carew going the closest to breaking the deadlock for Villa but his weak shot was easily saved by Reina. James Milner had a great chance to mark his return to the club by scoring the winner late in the game but his shot went straight into the waiting hands of the Liverpool keeper, leaving both the sides with a point each.