Aston Villa hopes dive as Luis Suarez takes the plunge - match analysis

Steven Gerrard's penalty rescued Liverpool a point and sparked a debate which is unlikely to have a winner.

The storm should not overshadow what was Villa's best and most complete performance of the season, but it will dominate the headlines.

After being 2-0 ahead, the visitors will feel a sense of injustice over the result. But sympathy must be given to referee Jon Moss. From his position, and with one view in "real time", he was left with little alternative but to award the spot-kick.

Suarez's reputation precedes him and it seems he would need to be hit by a juggernaut in the area to escape any questions. It's not in vogue to sympathise with the striker – he has done plenty to be quizzed on – but would any player in the Premier League have done any different?

It was a soft penalty, but had roles been reversed and Gabby Agbonlahor gone down Villa would have accepted it with gratitude. As much as diving is deplored, it is part of the modern game and Suarez was just playing that game to perfection.

Did he go down easily? Yes. Did Guzan touch him? Just about. Was it a penalty? Maybe…

The debate will rage and Guzan and Ron Vlaar were philosophical after the game. But, when pressed on Suarez, their expressions said everything.

They were frustrated after a performance they have talked about but rarely produced. It eclipsed their opening-day Arsenal win with the ferocity of first-half attacks and the second-half concentration earning them a deserved point.

There is a feeling in the camp that momentum is gathering after the win at Sunderland, rally against Arsenal and a point at Anfield.

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Gloss over the abject FA Cup exit to Sheffield United and they might be right – but it will only come to pass if they beat Albion next week.

As for Liverpool, the game put their title credentials into perspective as they failed to deal with Villa's tempo and vibrancy in the first half. Gerrard was simply second best against Karim El Ahmadi as Villa bossed the midfield to an extent they have not done this term.

Their persistent drive was everything Paul Lambert – who dropped Matt Lowton after he was late to training on Friday – promised to bring when he first arrived at Villa Park 18 months ago.

Incisive passing tore through Liverpool with little sign of the aimless long ball which has been Plan A and B recently.

This was Villa at their best and had they not lost Gabby Agbonlahor to a foot injury early in the second half after he tumbled over the advertising boards, it could have been even better.

Robbed of his pace, they were not the same threat and unable to stretch the floundering Kolo Toure and Aly Cissokho.

When Agbonlahor is in the mood he can be unplayable and for 45 minutes on Saturday he tore the Liverpool defence to ribbons. Grant Holt did an admirable job as his replacement on debut, but could not offer the same injection.

That Villa did not crumble after Gerrard's leveller showed admirable grit.

Skipper Vlaar handled Suarez as well as anyone has done in the Premier League this season with the Uruguayan spending more time moaning than menacing. His flicks and tricks went unrewarded but, even on an off-day, he still hauled Liverpool back into the game.

His run, and Jordan Henderson's flick, conjured a goal for Daniel Sturridge in first-half stoppage time. It was undeserved with Villa 2-0 up and, in truth, the margin could have been wider.

Agbonlahor poked wide inside the first minute and Ciaran Clark thumped a header against the post. Andi Weimann finally tapped in after 26 minutes after Agbonlahor's searing run down the left had Toure chasing his shadow.

Ten minutes later the revitalised Christian Benteke made it 2-0 as he nodded in when Simon Mignolet missed Agbonlahor's cross and Villa looked on to repeat their 3-1 win at Anfield last season.

Sturridge's goal a minute before the break was as crucial as it was well-worked and gave Liverpool a chance. It was one they took within five minutes of the break thanks to Gerrard's penalty.

But Villa refused to crumble as Guzan saved from Henderson and Suarez sent a 30-yard free-kick wide. Fabian Delph curled Villa's best chance wide with their threat reduced, but resilience intact.