Source: Team_Talk
Young inspires Villa cup comeback
Gerard Houllier marked his first match as Aston Villa boss with a victory as Ashley Young inspired a 3-1 Carling Cup home win over Blackburn.[LNB] Rovers were the better side in the first half and deservedly led at the interval through Gael Givet's stunning strike.[LNB]But Heskey levelled matters with his first touch after 59 minutes and then Young struck twice in quick succession to see Villa - last season's beaten finalists - reach the last 16.[LNB]Rovers must be sick of the sight of Villa after being knocked out of both domestic cup competitions by them last season.[LNB]Villa looked out of sorts in the first 45 minutes as Houllier opted for a 4-3-3 formation with John Carew flanked by Gabriel Agbonlahor and Young.[LNB]But they were transformed in the second half with Young in inspired form but midfielder Barry Bannan and defender Carlos Cuellar also made key contributions.[LNB]Villa Park was under half full for Houllier's first match at the helm as he made eight changes from the side which faced Bolton at the weekend.[LNB]Young forced the first save of the game out of Mark Bunn after turning past Morten Gamst Pedersen but the Rovers goalkeeper held onto his low 25-yard drive.[LNB]Rovers retaliated and Brad Guzan beat out Phil Jones' rising drive from a narrow angle after being found in space by Pedersen.[LNB]Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell was just off target with a long-range drive after being teed up by Bannan.[LNB]Villa suffered a setback after 31 minutes when Agbonlahor limped out of the action to be replaced by England Under-21 Nathan Delfouneso.[LNB]The England striker has been dogged by injury niggles during the early part of the campaign and he went straight to the dressing room for treatment.[LNB]Then after 34 minutes Rovers stunned Villa by taking the lead through Givet's powerful strike.[LNB]Pedersen's throw was headed out by Ciaran Clark to Givet whose powerful drive flew through a crowd of players into the corner of the net.[LNB]Blackburn were finding plenty of space and Steven Nzonzi was allowed to move forward unchallenged but his shot was wide of the mark.[LNB]Carew was brought down by Nelsen just outside the box in first half injury-time but Young curled the free-kick over the crossbar.[LNB]It needed a fine save from Guzan to prevent Blackburn from doubling their lead early in the second period.[LNB]Pedersen's long throw was cleared back to him and the resulting curling low shot from the edge of the box was turned aside by the United States goalkeeper.[LNB]Houllier brought on Emile Heskey, whom he signed for Liverpool from Leicester a decade ago, in place of Carew after 58 minutes.[LNB]It proved a masterstroke move with Heskey bringing Villa level with his first touch of the ball inside 60 seconds.[LNB]Young sent the former England player clear of the Rovers defence and he clinically beat Bunn with a low drive.[LNB]Villa were now in the ascendancy and Bunn finger-tipped away a powerful Bannan drive.[LNB]Then Cuellar should have done better when he headed wide when well placed from a Young corner.[LNB]But with 14 minutes left, Young put Villa ahead.[LNB]Delfouneso supplied the near-post cross and Young was able to head past Bunn.[LNB]Before the restart the injured Villa defender Ciaran Clark was replaced by Curtis Davies.[LNB]But within 60 seconds Young doubled Villa's lead.[LNB]Heskey won the ball on the right and surged into the Rovers box before delivering an inch-perfect cross which Young converted from close range.[LNB]Young came close to completing a hat-trick when his 20-yard drive was only just too high.
