Gerard Houllier looked on delightedly as Villa swept aside a very poorly set up Blackburn side. Blackburn employed a clog the midfield system, designed to hold low scoring Villa to a dull 0-0 draw. Villa surprised everyone with a midfield comprising of Pires and Reo-Coker with Petrov and Bradley on the bench. Houllier also punished Agbonlahor by returning Downing to the left and putting Albrighton on the right.
Most coaches have decided to target Villa's left back with Ciaran Clarke struggling at times. They would have been delighted at the thought of young Nathan Baker there instead and would have jumped for joy when he limped off and young Fabian Delph came in his place midway through the first half. However, Blackburn made little or no attempt to attack down the right. They used their only decent player, Gamst-Pedersen on their left, but his primary job was marking Villa's exciting winger, er right back, loanee, Kyle Walker.
Walker, actually was having a bit of a mare for the first 30 minutes. He was caught in possesion, was lucky when he pushed a ball out too far in front of him and ended up winning a free kick and was generally looking lacklustre. But, for the remainder of the game he was simply brilliant.
Pires, also looked shaky early on, but, despite the crowded midfield, the veteran found space and given time he showed some real class on the ball. He had Villa's first 3 chances and when switched with Petrov received a deserved hand from the Villa faithful, who were awoken from their slumber as goals arrived in the second half.
Downing and Albrighton switched wings late in the first half, and although in my last commentary I had called for Downing to put back to the left, on this occasion he simply was better on the right, and young Marc gradually found his way into the game also.
After the break, Blackburn almost capitalised on Richard Dunne's mis control, but, Friedel made a fine save with his legs. A minute later Villa were in front. Kyle Walker made a great run, but Young looked to have lost out to the left back, Ollson but, somehow, Ashley got the ball back and was immediately hauled down. Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot. It was Villa's 4th claim for a pen and their 3rd legitimate one. Ashley Young sent Robinson the wrong way.
Ten minutes later, the same defender almost put through his own net as Villa had a series of corners. Finally, Albrighton sent a cross shot in that Clarke may or may not have touched before Hanley shinned into the net for 2-0.
Downing made it 3 after great work from Young, who was mauled by Nelson, who was carded later. Downing took the ball over ran in to goal and cooly slotted passed Robinson.
Kalinic once again scored against Villa, he only scores against us, before Villa made it four with Young again.
Nelson received his second yellow for another poor tackle on Young and it was his second red against Villa, as the lions moved up to 12th place.