Houghton rescues Liverpool from valiant Aston Villa

ASTON VILLA produced a sterling display to take a point off Liverpool following a pulsating game which the Birmingham club dominated for long spells.

Liverpool suffered a shock setback when Alan Mclnally put Villa ahead after 39 minutes following a cross from Chris Price. It was Mclnally's fourth goal of the season and Liverpool struggled at times to combat the skill and enthusiasm of the Birmingham side.

Liverpool, who paraded lan Rush for his first full game, were often harassed out of possession by the eager Villa men. Liverpool drafted in lan Rush to start his first game with Peter Beardsley dropped to substitute role. The Welsh international, however, made a quiet start and it was Villa who mounted most of the early attacks.

After 25 minutes, Rush, playing his first game since leaving Juventus, converted a John Barnes cross but his effort was disallowed for offside. Ronnie Whelan then tried a shot which goalkeeper Nigel Spink took comfortably.

Kevin Gage, recalled to Villa's defence specifically to mark John Barnes, kept at his task but the England player managed to slip clear on one occasion, only to loop his shot over the bar.

Liverpool slowly moved forward more menacingly as an attacking unit. Gordon Cowans failed to cut out a Barnes pass and Ray Houghton's snap shot was smothered at close range by Nigel Spink.

But in the 39th minute, Alan Mclnally glided home his fourth goal of the season to put Villa ahead from a cross by Chris Price.

It was the first goal conceded by Liverpool this season.

Villa almost made it two two minutes into the second-half but Evans' header was cleared off the line by Barry Venison.

Then, Gage's crisply struck shot was tipped over by Grobbelaar.

Ray Houghton equalised for Liverpool after 63 minutes, planting the ball past Spink after collecting a quickly taken free-kick which caught Villa cold.

This goal sparked off Liverpool's late bid for a winner with Rush hitting the post with a shot as he was sitting on the ground.