Having impressed so many, so often since the turn of the year, Liverpool would seem to be working studiously towards ensuring that their season ends in anti-climax. While the point they gathered from an untidy game at Anfield last night was sufficient to lift them back into third place in the Premiership, they have lost their way somewhat.
Blessed with a watertight defence they are not losing but as they reach for the holy grail of Champions League qualification, it is wins they need.
Had their finishing not been so wretched, a win they certainly would have had, for not until the evening's final quarter did Aston Villa show any interest in building upon the one point they held at kick-off.
It would seem that Emile Heskey is good for Michael Owen. Just five days after the former Leicester striker signed in on Merseyside, the latter was declared fit enough to contest a full game for the first time in eight weeks. but for once the Golden Child was not glittering.
Owen should certainly have scored on 13 minutes but after being released down the middle by Steven Gerrard's fine pass he could do no more than strike the legs of the Villa goalkeeper Peter Enckelman.
Villa's role was of a supporting nature but with Paul Merson and Steve Stone energetic and enthusiastic in midfield, their counterattacks, rare though they were, did hold a measure of promise.
In an opening half of so many wasteful passes, they went close just once, Julian Joachim sweeping around Stephane Henchoz only to cross tamely with the goal at his mercy.
The evening was without drama until the 31st minute when Gareth Southgate's challenge on Patrik Berger presented Liverpool with an uncontested penalty. Owen's kick was ferocious but struck the underside of the crossbar before bouncing downwards.
Believing the ball had dropped behind the line Owen raised his arm in triumph; he was to be disappointed.
He was to be disappointed again five minutes into a more appealing second half, for having found himself on the end of Heskey's nicely weighted pass he should have done rather more than lift his shot over the crossbar from no more than 10 yards.
Rather predictably, Owen's night of fluffed lines was to end in substitution just after the hour.
The impressive David Thompson went close shortly afterwards but Enckelman was equal to the task, throwing himself down to block one of only a handful of shots Liverpool were to land on what was proving to be an illusive target.
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.
Referee: S Bennett (Orpington).
