Dion's double downs Rovers

VETERAN striker Dion Dublin’s hot scoring streak continued as Aston Villa gained revenge for their FA Cup mauling by Blackburn with a comfortable Premiership victory at Villa Park.

Graham Taylor’s side had been trounced 4-1 in The FA Cup meeting on the same ground three weeks ago, but they dominated this encounter and leap-frogged Rovers in the table.

Blackburn manager Graeme Souness accused Villa defender Ronny Johnsen of trying to get his defender James McEveley sent off.

McEveley was involved in a heavy challenge with Villa’s Mark Delaney which forced the Welsh international to be substituted 10 minutes from time.

Dublin was a constant threat while Johannes Gudjonsson and Thomas Hitzlsperger ensured Villa had control of the midfield.

And at the back there were solid performances from Olof Mellberg and Ronny Johnsen as Blackburn’s strike force of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke barely posed a threat.

Rovers were second best in all departments with only Tugay emerging with much credit.

Villa got off to the perfect start with Dublin putting them ahead with a trademark headed goal after two minutes.

Johansson was booked after chopping down Darius Vassell and from the free-kick

Villa nearly doubled their lead.

But they were not to be denied and five minutes before half-time Dublin doubled their lead with another clinical finish.

James McEveley was the next player to be cautioned by Dean after wrestling Mark Delaney to the ground a minute before the break.

With nine minutes left Barry finished off Rovers, collecting a cross from substitute Ulises de la Cruz before cutting back inside and making no mistake from 10 yards.

ASTON VILLA: Enckelman, Delaney (Staunton 84), Mellberg, Johnsen, Samuel, Hitzlsperger, Gudjonsson (Hendrie 90), Barry, Moore (De la Cruz 79), Dublin, Vassell.

BLACKBURN: Friedel, Taylor, Johansson, Gresko (Jansen 78), Curtis (Ostenstad 45), Thompson (Gillespie 70), Tugay, Flitcroft, McEveley, Cole, Yorke.

Referee: M Dean (Wirral)