David Dunn’s late header gave Blackburn a vital point as Aston Villa missed the chance to ease their fears of being dragged into a survival scrap. Villa dominated before the break and led when Charles N’Zogbia slammed home after Carlos Cuellar’s fine solo run.
Blackburn improved after half-time and Shay Given had to keep out a thunderous volley from Morten Gamst Pedersen. With five minutes left, Rovers’ pressure told when Bradley Orr’s cross found Dunn to nod home at the far post.
It was a breathless finish to a game that Villa should have wrapped up before the break, such was their dominance.
The draw means Alex McLeish’s men remain 15th and eight points clear of the cluster of sides at the bottom of the table after a run of five Premier League games without a win.
Villa’s poor form was not the only reason for their fans’ concern ahead of their trip to Ewood Park, with their side having to cope without key strikers Darren Bent, through injury, and Robbie Keane, who has returned to the United States after his loan spell. But they made the most of a slow start by Blackburn, who saw another protest against owners, the Venky’s, and manager Steve Kean outside the ground before kick-off.
Gabriel Agbonlahor brought a couple of early stops from Paul Robinson and it was no surprise when N’Zogbia broke the deadlock after 24 minutes.
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