Lancastria.net Yea Blackburn!

Ten man Blackburn Rovers resiliance held out as they came from behind to beat Aston Villa 2-1.

The first half was full of attacking intent from both sides, with Gabriel Agbonlahor putting the visitors infront early on.

Chris Samba equalised mid way through the first half, and both sides had good chances to add their tally.

Christopher Samba

Brad Friedel produced a stunning save from point blank range to deny David Dunn, and the sides went in 1-1 at half time.

Rovers started the second half well, and had a chance with the first two minutes. Villa couldn’t clear their lines, but after a scramble in the box no one could turn the ball in and it went tamely wide.

Both sides exchanged blows, but it was Blackburn who were enjoying the most of the possesion but they couldn’t create anything in terms of clear cut chances. Villa though looked dangerous on the break, and nearly added a second through Gabriel Agbonlahor but he fired over from inside the box.

In the 67th minute though the afternoon turned sour fcr Vince Grella, his foul on James Milner earned him a second yellow and sent Rovers down to ten men.

The visitors nearly took the lead immediately, with Ashley Young’s shot sailing just wide of the post. Ten man Blackburn then had a good chance themselves as Brad Friedel failed to clear his lines, but Keith Andrews delayed his shot and the chance was gone.

The last ten minutes saw Blackburn press forward with numbers for a winner, with Brad Friedel again saving brilliantly this time from Brett Emerton. From the resulting corner their were huge appeals for a penalty, but the referee who had come under pressure all afternoon from the home fans turned it down.

Moments later and the ten men did have a spot kick, Richard Dunne blatently handballing from Franco Di Santo’s overhead kick. David Dunn took the responsibilty, and calmly slotted the ball past Brad Friedel as the end of normal time loomed.

David Dunn

Villa pressed for the equaliser but Rovers out for the victory.

Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce hailed his sides performance, as they came from behind to record their first win against Aston Villa in over three years.

“Im delighted with the way we kicked on after going a goal down in the first few minutes…Its great to play as well as we played against a side of Aston Villa’s quality.

“You very rarely win against a top four side after going a goal down, and we’ve beat all the odds today. Not only have we come back to get a draw, but we’ve come back to win the game with ten men.”

Sam Allardyce

The Rovers boss went on to praise the effect that David Dunn had on the game.

“I thought Dunny was outstanding, I thought he was going to get us back infront with his over head kick.”

In addition Allardyce praised his players’ attitudes, after admitting he would’ve been happy with a draw.