Houllier and Taylor look on from the stands

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier admits his side's barren run is getting to the players.

A 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at Anfield means Liverpool have now gone 11 Premiership games without a win.

"We are struggling at the moment," Houllier said. "The players are a bit down.

"It is a difficult period and disappointing for everybody at the club.

The main thing is to keep the faith Gerard Houllier

"But it is a challenge and I thought we showed we had character."

Houllier added that tiredness is taking its toll - the Villa game was Liverpool's 37th competitive match of the campaign.

"Some of the international players have played more than 40 games and it is still only January," he said.

Owen looks dejected at the final whistle

"But we are still involved in a lot of competitions and the main thing is to keep faith."

Villa were left still seeking a first Premiership away win of the season but boss Graham Taylor was delighted with their performance.

"We thoroughly deserved a share of the spoils," said Taylor.

"Our biggest problem all season is that we have not converted a high enough ratio of chances.

"If we had done we would have been in sixth or seventh position."

Watch a round up of the Premiership action from the Weekend