Battling Baros takes Villa debut in Stride

MILAN BAROS could go on and carve his name with pride at Aston Villa.

If that turns out to be the case then the club would owe a debt of gratitude to long-serving employee Steve Stride.

Certainly manager David O'Leary recognised Stride's contribution in helping seal the striker's £6.5m move from Liverpool.

He turned around from the dug-out after Baros' crucial goal on his debut to gave the thumbs up to Villa's operations director and club secretary.

O'Leary said: "Steve had worked very hard. He was pleased because it has been a long process getting Milan here. He worked tirelessly behind the scenes, and to chairman Doug Ellis for bringing the deal to fruition."

Baros got the winner 10 minutes into wearing Villa's colours after sealing his switch last week. His pace and movement caused Blackburn constant problems. He latched on to a through-ball from Kevin Phillips and steered it beyond goalkeeper Brad Friedel and into the corner.

Baros could have had a hat-trick but Friedel made a good block from one effort then saw a header drift wide. On the downside he was booked for diving in stoppage time after trying to win a penalty off Friedel.

Baros knows he will have to keep the momentum going.

"We have great strikers here in Kevin Phillips and Juan Pablo Angel," he said.

"Of course I was pleased to get the goal so early in the game but it was more important the team got the victory. This is a friendly club and hopefully we can continue to have some good times," Baros said.

O'Leary said: "Milan played really well in the first half, then got a bit tired, which I thought he would. I kept him on to get his fitness up. He needed to have a full game as he has been playing only 10 minutes, 15 minutes. Good players win you games and a quality player has come in here.

"We are an attacking team and have options up front now. Hopefully Milan will continue to form a good partnership with Kevin Phillips."

Meanwhile, Blackburn manager Mark Hughes is ready to dabble in the transfer market before the window closes on Wednesday.

"That's a possibility," he said. "Maybe a couple of players will be going out and we hope to bring in one or two. If it doesn't happen, I have a good group of players anyway once every one is available."