Rovers dumped out by Villa (again)

The Rovers were put out of the Carling Cup for the second season in a row by Aston Villa came from behind to give Gerard Houllier victory in his first game in charge of the Villains.

Both teams fielded a mixture of second choice and first team players with changes a plenty to rotate both sides.

Our boys started with Benjani and Junior Hoillett up front as a more conventional 4-4-2 (yes it still exists) was deployed by Sam Allardyce.

The main grumbling point from the Blackburn dressing room and fans will be their distinct inability to hold onto a lead after all the hard work has been done.

After Houllier changed systems to alter the game in the second half it was as if Rovers had gone from a well oiled and drilled machine to a group of people who have never played together before.

Gael Givet opening goal was the best goal of the match by an absolute street but strikes from Emile 'I always score against Blackburn' Heskey and two from speed king Ashley Young put Rovers out and the Blue and Whites only had themselves to blame.

Time for that age old cliche of concentrate on the league?

Rovers: Mark Bunn, Pascal Chimbonda, Ryan Nelsen (Chris Samba 66), Gael Givet, Martin Olsson, Phil Jones, Steven Nzonzi, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Brett Emerton, Benjani (Mame Biram Diouf 62), Junior Hoilett (Nikola Kalinic 77). Subs not used: Frank Fielding, Josh Morris, Amine Linganzi, El-Hadji Diouf.

Aston Villa: Brad Guzan, Eric Lichaj, Carlos Cuellar, Ciaran Clark (Curtis Davies 76), Stephen Warnock, Ashley Young, Steve Sidwell, Nigel Reo-Coker, Barry Bannan, John Carew (Emile Heskey 58), Gabby Agbonlahor (Nathan Delfouneso 32). Subs not used: Brad Friedel, Habib Beye, Moustapha Salifou, Isaiah Osbourne.

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