Premiership: Liverpool and Villa level after 45 mins

Aston Villa 1, Liverpool 1 (half-time)

Lee Hendrie put Aston Villa back on level terms at half-time in an action-packed and controversial Barclaycard Premiership encounter with Liverpool.

The Reds, bidding to end a run of three games without a win, went ahead in bizarre circumstances when a clearance from Peter Schmeichel struck referee Andy D’Urso and rebounded to Jari Litmanen who made no mistake.

Hendrie equalised for John Gregory’s side but then Litmanen wasted the chance to put Liverpool back in front when his penalty struck a post after George Boateng had fouled Steven Gerrard.

After 20 minutes Villa deservedly got back on level terms through Hendrie.

Angel raced into the Liverpool penalty area and fired in a powerful low shot, which Dudek could only parry away.

The ball fell into the path of Hendrie, who hammered his shot into the roof of the net before taking his shirt off and getting involved in wild celebrations with the Villa crowd.

Villa came more into the game, and Merson was just off target with a 25-yard effort. Then Vassell chested down a cross from Samuel and tested Dudek with a first-time volley.

The game was flowing from end to end. Berger burst into the Villa penalty area, and it needed a great tackle from George Boateng to hold him in his tracks.

Then after 36 minutes Liverpool were given the chance to restore their lead from the penalty spot.

A great piece of skill by Gerrard took him past Alan Wright into the penalty area where he made contact with Boateng.

Referee D’Urso immediately pointed to the penalty spot despite the pleas of Boateng that Gerrard had run into him.

Up stepped Litmanen to take the spot-kick, but his effort cannoned back off the right-hand post after he had sent Schmeichel the wrong way. Steve Staunton was on hand to clear.

Tempers were becoming frayed, and D’Urso spoke with Villa manager John Gregory over comments apparently directed at one of the referee’s assistants just in front of the dug-out.