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Flitcroft, back in the side after recovering from a hamstring problem, broke the deadlock as the home defence was caught napping on 26 minutes.

Then Stead rifled home his third goal in four games since his move from Huddersfield 10 minutes later.

Villa were below par with their best effort falling to Peter Whittingham but Brad Friedel did well to deny him.

At half-time, avid Villa fan Jim Lewis, the owner of treble Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate, paraded the trophy his horse won on Thursday.

But he will have been worried from early on with Blackburn having the better of the chances with Lucas Neill and Jon Stead, back after injury, both going close.

Flitcroft broke the deadlock after 26 minutes when Brett Emerton's chip into the box caught the Villa defence napping, allowing the Blackburn skipper to control the ball and drill it past Sorensen with a superb finish.

KEY MOMENTS 26 mins: Gary Flitcroft puts Blackburn ahead 36 mins: Blackburn's lead is doubled through Jon Stead 55 mins: Peter Whittingham's effort is saved by Brad Friedel 75 mins: Andy Cole misses a great opportunity for Blackburn

Worse was to follow for Villa after half an hour when Gareth Barry limped off and had to be replaced by Peter Whittingham.

Sorensen then had to be on top form to deny Stead when he was put through by Tugay after a flowing move.

But moments later Stead got his reward when he latched onto Brett Emerton's corner and sent a half-volley past Sorensen to continue his amazing run since his transfer window move.

Villa were forced into a half-time substitution with Nolberto Solano, who had suffered a hamstring injury just before the interval, replaced by Luke Moore.

Good performance and two assists by Brett Emerton - this is just what we needed Pete Stock Have your say on 606

Blackburn were soon back in control and Cole was allowed to wriggle clear of the Villa defence and square the ball across the box from the by-line.

Stead was first to react and his low effort was blocked by the legs of Sorensen.

Villa gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Whittingham tested Brad Friedel with the keeper getting a hand to the youngster's left-footed shot to guide it out for a corner.

Andy Cole should have made it three when he got the ball past Sorensen but instead of passing to Stead or rolling the ball into the empty net, he tried to volley it and it went behind for a goal kick.

Aston Villa: Sorensen, De la Cruz, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Samuel, Solano (Luke Moore 45), Hendrie, Hitzlsperger, Barry (Whittingham 29), Angel, Vassell (Crouch 81). Subs not used: Dublin, Postma.

Blackburn: Friedel, Neill (Babbel 60), Short, Todd, Gray, Andresen, Flitcroft, Tugay, Emerton, Cole, Stead (Amoruso 89). Subs not used: Enckelman, Jansen, Yorke.
Booked: Neill, Todd.

Attendance: 37,532.