5:00PM BST 20 Aug 2011
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New manager Alex McLeish arrived to warm applause and left to a standing ovation as his Aston Villa side marched to a convincing victory over struggling Blackburn Rovers in their first home appearance of the season.
McLeish's summer move across the city from arch-rivals Birmingham was never less than controversial but any thoughts of a Villa Park rebellion were dismissed as he was greeted warmly on his walk to the dugout. The cheers were ringing around the stadium as the fans saluted a job well done at the final whistle.
Gabby Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey had Villa in command by half-time and though Morten Gamst Pedersen induced a momentary flutter by pulling a goal back, a thumping finish from Darren Bent swiftly restored Villa's poise.
Agbonlahor's sweetly-struck opener came in the 12th minute, capitalising on a bright start by the home side. The winger received the ball wide on the left, ran at the penalty area and sidestepped Michel Salgado before curling an exquisite finish beyond Paul Robinson's reach.
The Blackburn goalkeeper stretched to keep out another well-delivered effort from Agbonlahor eight minutes later but was beaten again in the 25th minute.
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Source: Telegraph
Source: Telegraph