Mark Hughes will be more than happy with the night's work as the points which could prove the difference in terms of European qualification are safely in the bag.

Villa are going through the motions as we approach the whistle, with minds obviously on Tuesday's FA Cup replay at Manchester City.

It's exhibition stuff for Rovers in these final minutes at Ewood.

Villa look a beaten side as they struggle to muster the desire to get out of their own half.

Another foray forward by Rovers sees Pedersen try his luck from 30 yards, but that won't worry Sorensen.

Villa certainly do not deserve to be trailing 2-0, but there was an air of expectancy surrounding Bellamy's strike.

Rovers are in their pomp as Robbie Savage heads just over, while Villa are shell-shocked.

The visitors must be wondering when, rather than if, Blackburn are going to take advantage of their wastefulness in front of goal.

Good pressure by Villa from a free-kick ultimately sees Gavin McCann direct his header over.

Blackburn are sensing a second goal as Villa miss another gilt-edged opportunity when Barry fires wide of the far post.

Baros misses another sitter, heading over Davis' cross from 6 yards.

Villa break through Baros, with the Czech going through one on one with Friedel, but a lack of confidence allows the US keeper to tip his weak shot past the post.

More pressure by Rovers as Pedersen's header finds Ryan Nelsen, but Mellberg is well placed to clear.

Free-kick to Blackburn is well worked with Pedersen's flick almost catching out the Villa rearguard, but Bouma is alert to the danger.

Barry stays up as the ball is thrown back in to the area, but his attempted over-head kick is gathered by Friedel.

Villa break and see a penalty appeal waved away when Barry's shot is deflected off target by a stray Todd hand.

Villa looked rocked by the opening goal as Rovers brim with confidence.

Villa look to press, but Bouma's hopeful ball looking for Baros is too heavy.

The action has hit something of an impasse as we enter the last five minutes of the half.

Rovers go back on the offensive as Lucas Neill's cross finds Savage, but the Welshman's header fails to trouble Thomas Sorensen.

Villa break and Steven Davis is presented with a sight of goal, only for his snap-shot to fly off target.

The home side look to press through Sinama Pongolle, but the Villa rearguard quickly crowd him out and clear.

David O'Leary's men are becoming increasingly wasteful in possession and look in to much of a hurry to push forward.

Rovers win a free-kick in the right channel, only for Pedersen's effort to flash over the bar.

Villa are beginning to look disheartened at their failure to convert chances, prompting a slight improvement by the home side.

Mark Hughes will be disappointed with his side's stuttering display - they just haven't managed to get in to their stride.

Rovers are reduced to trying their luck from distance as David Bentley's sighter drifts over the bar.

Villa's bustling approach in midfield has seen them swamp the visitors and David O'Leary's men are definitely in the ascendancy.

Brad Friedel is again called in to action, this time to deny Olof Mellberg's goalbound header from a corner.

The visitors are piling on the pressure but credit to the Rovers' rearguard for standing firm.

A good period of play for Villa develops with Brad Friedel parrying Milan Baros' volley, but the Czech should have done better.

Chance for Rovers as Savage raids down the flank and finds countryman Bellamy, but the striker's tame header is easy for Sorensen.

The home side are showing more guile as the game opens up with Villa opting for a more direct approach.

Rovers break quickly from a Villa corner but Sinama-Pongolle's delivery only finds Sorensen with Craig Bellamy lurking.

Robbie Savage's first foul of the afternoon is greeted by the expected boos from Villa's travelling support.

The game has begun to settle down after the initial flurry of activity.

Michael Gray gets forward for Rovers to try his luck from 25-yards, but his effort flies well over.

The home side continue to press and see Andy Todd's header fly over from Pedersen's free-kick.

An all action start at Ewood Park, with both sides looking to attack from the outset.

Rovers counter as Florent Sinama Pongolle scampers down the flank, but Thomas Sorensen is commanding in retrieving the cross.

A determined start by the visitors sees Gareth Barry go clean through, only to pull his shot wide from a tight angle.

Just the one change for Rovers as Morten Gamst Pedersen is restored to the starting XI.

A late amendment to the Villa line up has seen Luke Moore replace James Milner despite the on-loan Newcastle man being named in the initial starting XI.