Match Report

Aston Villa maintained their unbeaten Premier League home record but had to rely on crucial goals by Luke Young and Gareth Barry to beat Blackburn.

Villa's latest win, which was sealed by a third goal four minutes from time, was a hard-fought affair as they ran up against a cultured Rovers side that have failed to win a single game in October.

Stephen Warnock's goal on the half-hour put Blackburn in the driving seat, but Young's 45th minute goal - his first for Villa - and a second-half strike from Barry helped to earn Martin O'Neill's side their third home win.

Brad Friedel, playing against his former club for the first time since joining Villa, found himself under some early pressure from his former colleagues.

He was not seriously tested though and his confident handling boosted the Midlands club against a persistent Blackburn side who later took a 30th-minute lead.

Blackburn had suffered a blow before the game when the hugely talented Roque Santa Cruz injured himself in the pre-match warm-up which resulted in Benni McCarthy being hastily drafted into the side.

McCarthy, linked with Villa while playing in Portugal, could make little impact against the imposing Martin Laursen in the early stages but he put his mark on the game in the 30th minute when he was instrumental in helping Blackburn take the lead.

Carlos Villanueva set up the move but it was McCarthy who produced the accurate pass for the on-rushing Warnock to fire in a low left-footed shot past Friedel.

Irishman Keith Andrews, making only his second appearance for Blackburn since following manager Paul Ince from MK Dons, played a key role along with Villanueva at this crucial stage of the game.

Somewhat fortunately, Villa grabbed a vital equaliser in the last minute of the first half when Young grabbed his first goal for the club since his close-season arrival.

Nicky Shorey's left-wing cross was flicked on by Gabby Agbonlahor and Luke Young forced the ball home from close range to the relief of the home fans.

Big John Carew again found himself on the substitute's bench following his off- the-field transgression last week but appeared for the second half in place of Stiliyan Petrov.

Blackburn, however, continued to be the more impressive side and Brett Emerton and Warnock both had chances to net only to fire wide from very good positions following excellent work by Villanueva.

But it was Villa who gained the upper hand with a 65th-minute strike by Barry. Ashley Young put James Milner in possession and he took the ball to the byline before pulling his cross into the centre for Barry to slot home from close range.

Villa's third came from another Ashley Young pass which Agbonlahor converted with a cross-shot following a 20-yard run three minutes from time.

Emerton scored direct from a free-kick in stoppage time but it was too little too late for Rovers.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides