Villa 3 – 1 Blackburn: McLeish and Villa get off to a flyer

Alex McLeish got off to a flyer as Aston Villa manager with a 3-1 win over Blackburn Rovers in his first home game at Villa Park. McLeish was given a rousing reception from the home fans despite his arrival from bitter rivals Birmingham City.

Villa dominated from kick-off and Gabriel Agbonlahor opened the scoring after 12 minutes with a fine strike. They doubled their lead a short while later with a goal from Emile Heskey.

McLeish named an attacking line up with 3 strikers – Agbonlahor, Heskey and Bent – and new signing Charles N’Zogbia all causing problems for Blackburn.

In the second-half Blackburn pulled a goal back through Pedersen to make it 2-1 but their revival was short lived when Darren Bent scored to secure all three points for the home side.

Speaking to the BBC after the game Steve Kean said he was looking to add another striker and central defender to his squad in the coming weeks but all evidence suggests that he may not be around the club too much longer after losing his first two opening games.

McLeish has secured 4 points from his opening two games and he couldn’t have been more pleased with the performance of his strikers and new signings N’Zogbia and Shay Given who was outstanding in their first game away to Fulham.

Match Report: Aston Villa v Blackburn