Premier League: Blackburn 1 Aston Villa 1

Substitute David Dunn headed home an equaliser five minutes from time for Blackburn in a game of distinctly different halves.

Midfielder Charles N’Zogbia had given Villa a 24th minute lead but Rovers manager Steve Kean turned the tide after the interval with two significant half-time changes to turn the game around.

An early chance for Aston Villa was spurned by Mark Albrighton as he flashed a shot over the bar.

A poor clearance from Grant Hanley fell straight to N’Zogbia who cut back for the winger 10 yards out but his effort was deflected just over.

It had been a subdued start by Blackburn and they were punished by Villa with a fine strike by N’Zogbia.

Carlos Cuellar shrugged off one challenge, cutting in and passing to N’Zogbia 12 yards out who smashed his effort into the roof of the net.

Villa, often criticised for their reluctance to attack, were by far the better side in the first half and fully deserved their interval lead.

Kean brought in Marcus Olsson and Dunn at half-time although it was Villa that looking the better of the two sides as Paul Robinson saved down low from Stephen Ireland.

It was just short of the hour mark before Blackburn had a real opening.

A long punt from their own half was nodded on by Stephen N’Zonzi and when Dann rose highest the Blackburn fans expected a goal though the defender angled his header just over the bar.

Dunn was making Blackburn a more direct side and some neat interplay around the Villa defence found its way to Junior Hoilett.

His first-time effort from the edge of the area was parried away nervously by Shay Given before a scramble was eventually cleared by Alan Hutton.

Blackburn started to take control and forced Given into another parried save, this time from a volley from Morten Gamst Pederson.

Bradley Orr’s lofted cross was headed clear by Collins but only to Pederson who set himself before striking a fine first-time volley goalwards that was well saved.

Villa were containing the threat of Blackburn as they continued to push forward and in almost trademark fashion they nearly snatched another as Gabby Agbonlahor’s header was clawed out by Robinson.

Ireland found a yard on the left-wing before whipping in a superb cross that was met by Agbonlahor but the reliable Robinson was at hand to keep the deficit at just one.

Blackburn were not be discouraged though and were rewarded for their bravery as Dunn headed in the equaliser five minutes from time.

N’Zonzi found Orr whose cross to the far post was met powerfully by Dunn.