Michael Owen was left cursing his luck as he made his first start for Liverpool in two months.

The England striker missed the penalty in the 31st minute that would have secured victory for his side at Anfield tonight.

Owen, who has been troubled by hamstring problems, played for 66 minutes before being replaced by Titi Camara as Liverpool gained a point that took them above Chelsea on goal difference and into third place in the Premiership.

Aston Villa skipper Gareth Southgate was left nursing his knee in only the second minute after colliding with team-mate George Boateng. He resumed after treatment, only to be replaced in the second half by Ian Taylor.

Emile Heskey should have put Liverpool ahead in the fourth minute. Steven Gerrard split the defence with a superb through-ball but the former Leicester star only succeeded in dragging his shot wide of the target.

Villa, however, responded quickly and with purpose as Benito Carbone released Julian Joachim and his shot was hit firm and true.

But Stephane Henchoz came to Liverpool's rescue, clearing the ball off the line with goalkeeper Sander Westerveld out of position.

Owen then showed he had lost little of his pace, racing clear after Gerrard had again carved out the opening, but Villa keeper Peter Enckelman was alert to the danger and rushed out to put the ball to safety.

Owen and Heskey were kept on a tight reign in the opening stages by Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu and found it hard to get into scoring positions.

Southgate, however, conceded a penalty when he tripped Patrik Berger as the Czech homed in on goal.

Berger scored from the spot in the 1-1 draw against Sunderland at the weekend but this time he left Owen to the job.

Owen thundered a fierce shot that rattled the underside of the bar but came back out, much to the youngster's disbelief as he was already celebrating.

Gerrard could not take advantage in the ensuing scramble, screwing his effort wide of the post.

Dietmar Hamann then got away from Boateng but his 20-yard effort did not trouble Enckelman.

Heskey and Owen linked up in the 51st minute but it only ended in frustration for the home supporters.

Gerrard started the move but Owen finished it by hoisting his shot from the edge of the area over the bar.

Southgate was clearly troubled by the knock he took earlier in the game and was replaced by Taylor a minute later.

While Villa were still regrouping David Thompson broke away and cut inside before releasing a fierce shot. But Enckelman was equal to it, steering his effort to safety.

Villa looked dangerous on the counter-attack and Taylor headed narrowly wide of the post after Paul Merson floated in a corner from the right.

Jamie Redknapp came on for Gerrard with 11 minutes to go after recovering from a knee injury. Then manager Gerard Houllier brought on Erik Meijer for Thompson in a bold bid to secure the three points.

But Villa held firm, with the consolation for Houllier that they secured third spot behind Manchester United and Leeds.

Teams:

Liverpool: Westerveld, Matteo, Hyypia, Henchoz, Carragher, Thompson (Meijer 82), Hamann, Gerrard (Redknapp 78), Berger, Heskey, Owen (Camara 66).

Subs Not Used: Staunton, Friedel.

Aston Villa: Enckelman, Barry, Southgate (Taylor 52), Ehiogu, Wright, Delaney, Boateng, Merson (Hendrie 59), Stone, Joachim (Walker 88), Carbone.

Subs Not Used: Watson, Cutler.

Booked: Barry.

Att: 43,615

Ref: S Bennett (Orpington).