Stead supplies the firepower again as Villa crumble

Aston Villa 0 Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn put a week of controversy off the pitch behind them as goals from the fit-again duo of Garry Flitcroft and Jonathan Stead eased their Premiership relegation fears. Rovers had made the headlines all week after the training-ground argument between Graeme Souness and Dwight Yorke, and then a complaint by Andy Cole to the Professional Football Association alleging victimisation by the Rovers manager.

But all that was forgotten as skipper Flitcroft and Stead, both back in the side after hamstring problems, earned the visitors only their second win in 10 games.

Blackburn deserved the three points against a Villa side for whom a push for a European place was becoming an increasingly realistic possibility. But David O'Leary's side could not cope with the threat of Brett Emerton on the right flank, while Flitcroft was a steadying influence in the centre of the park.

And the Rovers defensive pairing of Craig Short and Andy Todd also kept a tight grip on Villa's 20-goal leading scorer Juan Pablo Angel. To make matters worse, both Gareth Barry and Nolberto Solano limped out of the action to reduce further an already threadbare squad.

Villa started brightly and Rovers' goalkeeper, Brad Friedel, was called into action to block a shot from a narrow angle by Darius Vassell. But Blackburn were soon into their stride and a wasteful Tugay sliced his shot wide after Olof Mellberg had failed to clear.

It was an open affair, and after 26 minutes the Villa defence were caught napping as Flitcroft put Rovers in front. A chip into the box from Emerton looked innocuous enough, but Villa were caught ball-watching before Flitcroft nipped in and drilled his shot past Thomas Sorensen.

Blackburn were in control, with Flitcroft pulling the strings in midfield, and Sorensen made a low save at full stretch to fingertip a Stead effort around the post. It came as no surprise when Rovers doubled their lead after 36 minutes through Stead's third goal in four games since his move from Huddersfield during the transfer window. A corner from Lucas Neill was flicked on and Stead made no mistake with a right-footed effort which flew past Sorensen as a rather hapless defence looked on.

Villa were forced into a half-time substitution with Solano, who had suffered a hamstring injury just before the interval, replaced by Luke Moore.

O'Leary had reverted to a 4-3-3 formation with Moore joining Vassell and Angel in attack, but Blackburn continued to look more threatening and Hendrie blocked a goalbound effort from Stead.

The home side had a rare opportunity when Peter Whittingham turned sharply after collecting Hendrie's low centre, but Friedel blocked his shot at point-blank range.

Cole could have got on the scoresheet after the ball bounced over Sorensen's head from a long clearance. but his shot from an acute angle failed to hit the target.

Aston Villa 0 Blackburn Rovers 2
Flitcroft 26, Stead 36

Half-time: 0-2 Attendance: 37,532