VILLA'S best performance of the season ended with Ron Atkinson and his rival Liverpool boss Graeme Souness agreeing to differ on the controversial penalty that gave the Merseysiders a point.

Big Ron watched the television replay of the 39th-minute incident when Paul McGrath and Ronnie Rosenthal tangled in the box.

"I have my opinions about that," said the Villa chief.

"It was a penalty," said Souness. "And we might have had another penalty in the second half.

Villa's players were still fuming about Rosenthal's fall in the box claiming he had dived.

Disappointed skipper Gordon Cowans said:

"That's the best we have played and but for the penalty we would have won."

Kendal referee Michael Peck certainly seemed to have erred although Israeli international Rosenthal said later:

"I was clearly obstructed by McGrath."

Depending which side you were on, the versions of the penalty converted by ex-Villa winger Mark Walters varied enormously.

But there was also a school of thought that Liverpool substitute lan Rush was brought down in the area by Shaun Teale in the 73rd minute.

The drawn result was about spot on, but nothing could take away from Villa that they put on a masterful performance with McGrath having a magnificent game.

The Republic of Ireland international was so outstanding that Souness made a double 66th-minute substitution, taking off £2.9 million record British transfer striker Dean Saunders and Rosenthal and bringing on Rush and Steve Harkness.

And McGrath was given marvellous support by Teale and Liverpool old boy Steve Staunton.

The only scare was Villa's record signing Dalian Atkinson having to come off seven minutes before the end after damaging ligaments in his right ankle.

Atkinson, who had run brilliantly to provide the opening for Kevin Richardson's smart 25th minute goal, is now likely to miss Wednesday night's clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.