Crouch grabs late leveller

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Crouch hooked in right-footed from 10 yards in the the 88th minute to avert a disastrous result for under-fire manager Rafael Benitez.

Yossi Benayoun gave the Reds a first-half lead but Marlon Harewood and a Fabio Aurelio own goal in the second half threatened to win it for Villa.

Although Crouch levelled - against his former team - Liverpool are now 14 points behind Manchester United and Arsenal.

There were six changes from the side that beat Luton in the FA Cup last week. Javier Mascherano was back in central midfield, Jose Reina returned in goal and new signing Martin Skrtel was on the bench. Aston Villa were without the injured Gareth Barry for the first time in almost four years.

Liverpool took the lead after 19 minutes. Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt set up the close-range chance for Benayoun to net at the second attempt from six yards.

Villa withstood intense pressure at the beginning of the second half and with 24 minutes left, sent on striker Harewood. His first involvement was a run and cross to set up John Carew for an effort saved by Reina.

Alvaro Arbeloa was booked for a foul on Stiliyan Petrov after 68 minutes, and from the free-kick, Villa were level. Martin Laursen headed the ball back across goal for Harewood to flick into the net.

Villa then launched another attack and were ahead when Olof Mellberg's effort from the right was deflected into goal by Fabio Aurelio.

But Crouch averted a disastrous result for Benitez when he hooked in right footed from 10 yards after Laursen had failed to clear.