Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Aston Villa
Match Reports,
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David Dunn rescued a point for relegation-threatened Blackburn after Charles N'Zogbia had given Aston Villa the lead.
Dunn's goal rounded off an inspired second-half performance from Steve Kean's side after going behind to N'Zogbia's 24th minute strike.
Villa dominated proceedings in the first-half and almost went ahead early on when the lively Marc Albrighton blazed over from inside the box.
They got their breakthrough when N'Zogbia fired them into the lead and the former Wigan winger was denied his second moments later when Paul Robinson saved his powerful left-footed effort.
Gabriel Agbonlahor also came close to extending the visitors' lead but he could not get a shot away when the ball dropped to him six-yards out.
There seemed to be no way back for Blackburn until Junior Hoilett sliced a golden opportunity high and wide with the last kick of the first-half and this momentum continued after the break. Two half-time substitutions from Steve Kean made the difference but it was Villa who came closest to scoring after the restart when Stephen Ireland's 18-yard strike was wonderfully saved by man of the match Robinson.
Blackburn's fightback started when Scott Dann's looping header grazed the crossbar before Hoilett forced Shay Given into his first save with a powerful effort just after the hour mark.
It looked like the goal would never come for the hosts when Morten Gamst Pedersen saw his thumping volley turned away by the Villa keeper and they were almost made to rue the chances when Agbonlahor sent a close range header straight at Robinson.
Super-sub Dunn eventually leveled with an 85th minute header to earn his side a deserved point but it is not enough to take Rovers out of the relegation zone. They stay in 18th position but could move out if Wolves lose by more than one goal against Fulham on Sunday.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, remain on the brink of the drop-zone just three places above Blackburn. They are eight points ahead of them with 11 games remaining but there is plenty of cause for concern with Alex McLeish's side now without a win in five Premier League matches.


