Young strike earns~point for Villa

There was little constructive football from either side in the opening quarter of an hour.

Scott Carson saved a 24th-minute penalty from Matt Derbyshire after Nigel Reo-Coker had brought down David Bentley.

In the second half Villa sub Marlon Harewood hit a low drive after 63 minutes which Friedel saved.

Rovers took the lead on 68 minutes when Dunn shook off the challenge of Curtis Davies before having a shot parried by Carson, with Santa Cruz forcing the ball home from close range.

Villa levelled five mintes later when Gabriel Agbonlahor was brought down by Reid just outside the Blackburn box and Young curled the free-kick past Friedel.

Harewood’s header hit the bar late on but it ended all square.