Villa and Reds deadlocked in nervy first half

Aston Villa 0 Liverpool 0

Aston Villa striker John Carew squandered the best chance of an opening 45 minutes of cat-and-mouse football with Liverpool at Villa Park.

The Norway international side-footed his shot from close range straight at Jose Reina after Gareth Barry and Ashley Young had carved out the opening,

Liverpool only threatened in the closing stages of the half with Dirk Kuyt and David Ngog – a substitute for the injured Fernando Torres – going close.