LONDON (Reuters) - England striker Peter Crouch grabbed a late equaliser yesterday as Liverpool drew 2-2 with Aston Villa in a Premier League clash at Anfield played out against a backdrop of anger and protest.

Crouch's 88th-minute goal rescued the home side after Villa had scored twice in the space of three minutes against the run of play.

Villa substitute Marlon Harewood cancelled out Israeli Yossi Benayoun's first-half strike with his first touch of the game in the 69th minute before the visitors made it 2-1 with an own goal from Fabio Aurelio.

Liverpool, who had hoped to leapfrog city rivals Everton into fourth place on goal difference, moved up to fifth on 40 points, ahead of Villa and Manchester City on goal difference.

The game was played in an atmosphere of simmering anger with the home fans showing their displeasure to the club's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

"You don't care about (manager) Rafa (Benitez), you don't care about the fans, Liverpool Football Club is in the wrong hands," chanted the crowd.

The protest was orchestrated by supporters unhappy with Hicks and Gillett's plans for the club and whether they intend to sell to Dubai International Capital, the investment arm of the Dubai Government.