Villa brush aside Blackburn to go fourth

Aston Villa kept up their free-scoring form to move into fourth in the Premier League with a 3-2 victory over Blackburn on Wednesday.

Martin O'Neill's team took their goal tally to nine in the last three games thanks to Luke Young, Gareth Barry and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Rovers had taken the lead through Stephen Warnock at Villa Park, but Young equalised before Barry and Agbonlahor put the hosts in control in the second half. Brett Emerton's last minute effort was no consolation for Paul Ince's side.

Blackburn had suffered a blow when Paraguay forward Roque Santa Cruz was injured in the warm-up, handing Benni McCarthy a chance in the starting line-up.

O'Neill once again left John Carew on the substitutes bench as the Norway striker continued to pay the price for breaking a team curfew despite a starring performance in Saturday's 4-0 win over Wigan where he scored one and set anohter one up.

Villa, unbeaten at home this season, made a bright start and Stilian Petrov had a shot from the edge of the box charged down by Keith Andrews.

Former Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel, who spent eight years at Ewood Park, turned aside a low drive from Andrews moments later.

The home side were stunned when Rovers broke the deadlock after 30 minutes with a well worked goal from Warnock.

Carlos Villanueva picked out South African striker McCarthy who held the ball up before picking out the run into the box of Warnock and the midfielder drilled a low shot past Friedel into the corner of the net.

James Milner produced his best play of the first half in turning in a tight situation and supplying a dangerous cross but Martin Laursen could only glance his header past the far post.

Then on the stroke of half-time Luke Young brought Villa level with his first goal for the club since his move from Middlesbrough.

Nicky Shorey clipped the ball into the box and Luke Young saw his first attempt blocked but bundled the ball over the line at the second attempt.

O'Neill reacted after his side's limp first half display by bringing on Carew for the second 45 minutes in place of Petrov.

Emerton came close to restoring Blackburn's lead with a powerful long-range drive which curled only a yard wide.

Another good piece of skill from Villanueva played in Warnock but he was unable to repeat the accuracy of his first half effort as he dragged his shot across the face of goal.

But the home side have sufficient fire-power even on an off night and in the 65th minute Barry put them ahead.

Milner was the creator after receiving a pass from Ashley Young and he held off Andre Ooijer before cutting the ball across the box and Barry finished from close range.

Agbonlahor wrapped up the points with three minutes remaining when he converted a pass from Ashley Young. Emerton's free-kick goal came too late to give Villa any concerns over the outcome.