Saturday March 3, 2012 Day 27 Finished Ewood Park

Blackburn Rovers 1 - 1 Aston Villa

  • Dunn 85’
  • N'Zogbia 24’

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  1. Dunn rescues point for Rovers

    Dunn rescues point for Rovers

    Substitute David Dunn rescued a crucial point as Blackburn shared a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa in their Premier League clash at Ewood Park. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Blackburn Rovers
    • Aston Villa
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with every Premier League game, from 00:01 on Monday morning (UK only).
    • 90+3' The full-time whistle goes at Ewood Park, and it has ended 1-1 between struggling Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa with neither side particularly happy. Charles N'Zogbia netted the opener and, despite Villa's possession and chances, Rovers grabbed the second goal courtesy of substitute David Dunn! Thanks for joining me.
    • 90+2' Andreas Weimann replaces Albrighton, and McLeish makes his final change.
    • 90+1' Grant Hanley rises high to head wide of the near post from the resulting corner, and that was dangerous!
    • 90' Three minutes will be added at the end of this second half with Rovers buoyant!
    • 89' Pedersen launches a long throw into the box, but Dunn cannot quite head this one on target as Cuellar clears.
    • 87' McLeish looks shell-shocked on the touchline as he stands with his hands in his pockets rather forlornly.
    • 86' Marcus Olsson continues to threaten as he sprints down the left, and he wins his side another corner.
    • 85' GOAL!!!! DUNN EQUALISES FOR ROVERS! David Dunn equalises with five minutes to go as he grabs his second goal of the season, heading powerfully beyond Given from Bradley Orr's cross!
    • 83' The inevitable chants are ringing around Ewood Park now, and the home fans are not happy.
    • 81' What a save from Robinson! Warnock whips in a stunning delivery from the left, and Agbonlahor thinks he has scored with a downward header, only for Robinson to claw the ball away from his line!
    • 80' N'Zogbia does not look at all happy about having been replaced, and he's never one to hide his feelings of discontent!
    • 79' Olsson wins a corner out on the left, but Hoilett runs the ball out of play as the cross comes in.
    • 78' Bannan is full of energy, and he nips around at the heels of the Blackburn players in midfield.
    • 77' Rovers are playing much better now, but need to react like a side who can still win this with two quick goals!
    • 76' Nzonzi links the play in midfield once more, but Rovers have to show greater urgency!
    • 75' Hoilett is brilliantly tackled by Warnock as the Rovers midfielder looks to cause more havoc.
    • 73' Herd is replaced by Gary Gardner, while N'Zogbia is taken off with Barry Bannan coming on in his place.
    • 72' Rovers keep the ball in their half, but the hosts need to keep attacking Villa.
    • 71' Marcus Olsson has been a livewire since coming on, and Rovers fans will want to know why he did not start the game.
    • 70' Blackburn are one of six Premier League teams who have yet to win back to back Premier League home matches this season (along with Aston Villa).
    • 69' Rovers are really improving in this second half, and suddenly Villa look very nervous and agitated.
    • 67' Given comes to the rescue again! Pedersen connects very sweetly with a high ball as he volleys on target, and Given is forced to parry wide once more!
    • 66' Pedersen releases Dunn, and the Englishman continues to make a positive impact from midfield!
    • 65' Pedersen goes in very late and dangerously on Collins, and the Welshman limps off to the touchline as the Rovers player is shown the yellow card.
    • 64' Rovers stroke the ball around at the back, and the hosts are forced to be patient as Villa track their every step.
    • 63' Villa are not being afforded nearly as much time or space with the ball in this second half, so credit to Rovers.
    • 62' Given makes a fine save! Dunn makes a fine run, jinking inside two challenges before finding Hoilett, whose rasping drive is parried wide superbly by Given!
    • 61' Pedersen links the lay once more from a central position, before Rovers launch an attack.
    • 60' Herd concedes possession as he hammers an attempted through ball to Ireland straight to Nzonzi.
    • 59' Pedersen loops a pretty tame delivery from a free kick 30 yards out which runs out of play, and that was poor.
    • 58' Hutton goes in late rather recklessly on Marcus Olsson, and that was rash. He's very lucky to get away without a booking!
    • 57' Olsson marauds down the left at pace, and he wins his side a throw in with a fine run which turns defence into attack.
    • 56' Villa have won just one of their last seven Premier League games, but have lost just one of their last seven away from home.
    • 55' Dann goes close! Robinson punts a long ball upfield which Nzonzi meets with a precise header on, and Dann goes agonisingly close, heading a fine effort which grazes the top netting!
    • 54' Dunn gets on the ball on halfway and spreads the play, but he cannot ensure that his side move forward.
    • 53' Herd again defends stoutly to stop Nzonzi in his tracks, and he is battling very effectively.
    • 52' Robinson continues to distinguish himself in this second half, and he keeps the deficit at a single goal.
    • 51' What a double save from Robinson! First Ireland drives a low shot towards the near post, only to be denied by a great stop, then Robinson dives at the feet of Hutton!
    • 50' Kean and McLeish are both out on the touchline barking orders at their players, and looking to make their impact.
    • 49' This is looking much better from Rovers after the break, and Herd is forced to make a fine challenge to stop Hoilett.
    • 48' Hoilett gets down the left and whips over a brilliant cross, and Yakubu really should have got on the end of that delivery!
    • 47' Kean has also taken off Petrovic and brought on Marcus Olsson.
    • 46' The second half is underway at Ewood Park, and Steve Kean has replaced the ineffectual Formica with David Dunn.
    • - What did you make of the first half? Can you see any way back for Blackburn? What do you think the score will be at full-time? Get in touch with me on Twitter!
    • 45+2' The half-time whistle goes at a subdued Ewood Park, and the atmosphere is of a testimonial or pre-season friendly with Villa holding a 1-0 lead courtesy of N'Zogbia's strike. It could be many more, but Rovers remain in this match despite a truly dismal showing in the first half.
    • 45+1' What a save! Robinson makes a fine save down low to his right as N'Zogbia is clean through with just the keeper to beat, but cannot find the back of the net!
    • 45' The atmosphere is very poor at Ewood Park as Villa go on the attack once more.
    • 44' It feels as though Rovers are playing without any forwards, and Formica is not playing like one.
    • 43' Quite astonishing: there are six Villa players on hand to clear a cross from Hoilett with just Pedersen in the box in a blue and white shirt!
    • 42' Ireland again lets fly with an ambitious drive from range, but the ball drifts high and wide.
    • 41' Aston Villa have conceded the joint-most goals from corners (11) along with Bolton.
    • 40' Ireland picks out N'Zogbia, and Hoilett has to get his challenge just right to deny the flying forward, which he does... just!
    • 39' Nzonzi is very sluggish as he gives the ball away on the edge of the Rovers half, and that was incredibly sloppy!
    • 38' Ireland is playing well in a free role for Villa, and Albrighton is linking the play with Petrov.
    • 37' Oh dear! Formica takes a truly shameful tumble on the edge of the Villa box after over-running the ball, and Webb is kind in not booking him.
    • 36' Pedersen receives treatment on halfway as he collides with Petrov and Herd.
    • 35' Hutton clips a promising delivery into the box, but it's cleared away belatedly by a combination of Hanley and Dann.
    • 34' It really is remarkable how little purpose and intensity the hosts are showing, and the fans are not at all happy.
    • 33' Villa continue to dominate the possession, and they have seen over 60% of the ball so far in this match.
    • 32' Blackburn haven’t drawn a Premier League game at Ewood Park this season (W4 L9).
    • 31' Ireland has a shot blocked from the edge of the penalty area, and it's all Villa in this first half.
    • 30' Rovers are very much under the cosh here, and will need to defend stoutly to ensure that this game is not out of sight by half-time.
    • 29' Agbonlahor stays down on the edge of the Rovers box as Dann goes in high with his studs, and he's lucky to get away without a card.
    • 28' Albrighton comes inside as Villa keep the ball with consummate ease, and they dominate the possession.
    • 27' Watching the replays of that goal, it is quite astonishing how much space N'Zogbia was afforded, all alone in the Rovers half!
    • 26' Albrighton does brilliantly to win a corner out on the left for Villa with neat footwork, and this is one-way traffic right now.
    • 25' STAT: Blackburn have now gone 30 Premier League games without a clean sheet, just four games shy of the record of 34 set by West Brom.
    • 24' GOAL!!!!! N'ZOGBIA OPENS THE SCORING! It's an emphatic finish from the winger as Cuellar slides an incisive through ball into his path, and Robinson has no chance with the thunderous resulting half-volley!
    • 24' Villa clear the corner comfortably, and Hutton brings the ball away once more for the visitors.
    • 23' Albrighton concedes a corner kick as he tracks back superbly to challenge Petrovic.
    • 22' Nzonzi shows very good feet as he brings down a high ball on halfway and swivels to release Hoilett.
    • 21' Gabriel Agbonlahor has scored four goals in his last six Premier League games against Blackburn.
    • 20' Orr bundles over N'Zogbia, and that was pretty clumsy from the defender who is lucky not to be booked.
    • 19' McLeish is out on the touchline barking orders at his players once more, and N'Zogbia loses the ball to Petrovic.
    • 18' N'Zogbia and Ireland will need to provide Agbonlahor with much greater support as he cannot hold the ball up at the moment.
    • 17' Agbonlahor is already cutting a frustrated figure in attack for Villa, and he will need to be patient playing up front on his own.
    • 16' Hutton powers down the right but is unable to get a cross into the box as he is held up by Hanley.
    • 15' Morten Gamst Pedersen has scored three goals in the last three Premier League games between Rovers and Villa.
    • 14' Herd makes a stunning block on the edge of the Villa box as Pedersen drives a fierce shot towards goal, and that was inspired defending!
    • 13' Pedersen loses the ball outwide with three players in the Villa box, and Rovers are slowly coming back into this.
    • 12' Blackburn are really lacking confidence on the ball and, no sooner does Orr win the ball back, does he lose it to Petrov.
    • 11' Ireland is seeing a lot of the ball in the Rovers half, and Villa are very much on top.
    • 10' It's a fairly sparse crowd at Ewood Park, as Pedersen again defends to concede a corner with Warnock marauding.
    • 9' Pedersen makes a very fine interception as Warnock almost breaks clear down the Villa left.
    • 8' This is the 11th meeting in all competitions between Blackburn and Aston Villa in the last two and a half seasons.
    • 7' Given continues to play the ball short whenever he is in possession and that's a reflection on the lack of height in the Villa ranks.
    • 6' Robinson, who gave his side a stirring speech in the pre-match huddle before kick-off, lumps a long ball upfield but Agbonlahor cannot bring the ball down.
    • 5' N'Zogbia hurtles down the right at pace and cuts the ball back to Albrighton, but his shot is high and wide from 12 yards out - what a chance!
    • 4' Yakubu, never shot-shy, unleashes a speculative and, frankly ridiculous, volley from 30 yards with the ball flying high into the stand behind the goal!
    • 3' Villa are keeping the majority of the early possession, and Herd exchanges passes with Petrov in midfield.
    • 2' Given is swiftly off his line to gather a loose ball, and Formica looks very bright in attack for Rovers early on.
    • 1' The first half is underway at Ewood Park, and Villa kick us off with Ireland and Agbonlahor setting the ball in motion. It's a sunny day in Lancashire, and the home fans are in full voice.
    • 14:58 The players emerge from the tunnel, and we're all set...
    • 14:55 Right, it's five minutes until kick-off at Ewood Park and there's still time for you to post your pre-match predictions - what do you think the scoreline will be and who, if anyone, will get on the scoresheet?
    • 14:50 Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish admits he will look to overhaul his squad this summer but stressed he wants to keep star strikers Darren Bent and Gabriel Agbonlahor. McLeish said: "We've already made plans to bring some players in. We've looked at a lot of players that we have a good chance of bringing to the club, Bosman signings but of a good quality." Read more
    • 14:45 In the early kick-off, it turns out that Robin van Persie is rather good at football. Follow the final five minutes of Liverpool v Arsenal
    • 14:40 What is your opinion on the latest Rovers protest? And looking ahead to this afternoon's match, what do you think the scoreline will be? Get in touch with me on Twitter! I'll publish your comments...
    • 14:35 A major new protest is to be staged by Blackburn fans against the club's hierarchy at the game today. A section of Rovers supporters called BRFC Action Group have released a statement outlining plans for three marches that will set off simultaneously around an hour before the 3pm kick-off and then join together at Ewood Park - described as "the largest and most attended demonstration in the history of our club." Read full story
    • 14:30 Most pundits believe it is a case of three from five to go down into the Championship, with Wigan, Bolton, Blackburn, Wolves and QPR separated by only two points. Villa have a seven-point cushion and Swansea eight but Kean highlighted the plight last season of Blackpool, who went down despite being well above the bottom three for much of the campaign.
    • 14:25 THE TEAMS ARE IN! Blackburn: Robinson, Orr, Dann, Hanley, Martin Olsson, Petrovic, Nzonzi, Pedersen, Formica, Hoilett, Yakubu. Subs: Bunn, Dunn, Modeste, Marcus Olsson, Goodwillie, Vukcevic, Henley /// Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Collins, Cuellar, Warnock, Petrov, Herd, Albrighton, Ireland, N'Zogbia, Agbonlahor. Subs: Guzan, Heskey, Bannan, Weimann, Lichaj, Baker, Gardner
    • 14:20 Steve Kean: "You look back to last season and I think I'm right in saying Blackpool had 32 points at this stage, so we feel we can get back to teams, and not only Villa. Swansea are just above them, and we're looking to catch the teams above us. We're playing well, we're picking up points and we go into this phase of games looking forward. We know we have to take care of our own points but some of the teams in and around us have got to go to the venues we've already been at and got points from."
    • 14:15 Alex McLeish: "I've never put the shackles on the lads, never have done since the start of the season. Yes, I want the forward players to get back and defend and help the other parts of the team just like any other major team in the world does, the Barcelonas, the Manchester Uniteds. But I don't say to players 'go and play negatively, go and pass the ball back'. It can be down to quality and maybe we've not shown it enough at certain times."
    • 14:10 TEAM NEWS: Blackburn have a strong squad available with only Martin Olsson picking up a knock during the international break. Steven Nzonzi and David Dunn are both fit after illness and a thigh injury respectively. Gael Givet and Jason Lowe are both suspended.
    • 14:05 Aston Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov will return after recovering from a thigh injury. Villa boss Alex McLeish is looking to striker Gabriel Agbonlahor and playmaker Stephen Ireland to help plug the gap left for the remainder of the season by record signing Darren Bent after he suffered an ankle injury. Right-back Alan Hutton (hamstring) and centre-back James Collins (knee) are expected to be available after withdrawing from midweek international duty with Scotland and Wales respectively.
    • 14:00 Welcome to LIVE text coverage of the Premier League clash between struggling Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa at Ewood Park.

  • Summary

    • 85' GOAL!!!! DUNN EQUALISES FOR ROVERS! David Dunn equalises with five minutes to go as he grabs his second goal of the season, heading powerfully beyond Given from Bradley Orr's cross!
    • 81' What a save from Robinson! Warnock whips in a stunning delivery from the left, and Agbonlahor thinks he has scored with a downward header, only for Robinson to claw the ball away from his line!
    • 67' Given comes to the rescue again! Pedersen connects very sweetly with a high ball as he volleys on target, and Given is forced to parry wide once more!
    • 62' Given makes a fine save! Dunn makes a fine run, jinking inside two challenges before finding Hoilett, whose rasping drive is parried wide superbly by Given!
    • 55' Dann goes close! Robinson punts a long ball upfield which Nzonzi meets with a precise header on, and Dann goes agonisingly close, heading a fine effort which grazes the top netting!
    • 51' What a double save from Robinson! First Ireland drives a low shot towards the near post, only to be denied by a great stop, then Robinson dives at the feet of Hutton!
    • 45+1' What a save! Robinson makes a fine save down low to his right as N'Zogbia is clean through with just the keeper to beat, but cannot find the back of the net!
    • 24' GOAL!!!!! N'ZOGBIA OPENS THE SCORING! It's an emphatic finish from the winger as Cuellar slides an incisive through ball into his path, and Robinson has no chance with the thunderous resulting half-volley!
    • 14' Herd makes a stunning block on the edge of the Villa box as Pedersen drives a fierce shot towards goal, and that was inspired defending!
    • 5' N'Zogbia hurtles down the right at pace and cuts the ball back to Albrighton, but his shot is high and wide from 12 yards out - what a chance!
    • 14:25 THE TEAMS ARE IN! Blackburn: Robinson, Orr, Dann, Hanley, Martin Olsson, Petrovic, Nzonzi, Pedersen, Formica, Hoilett, Yakubu. Subs: Bunn, Dunn, Modeste, Marcus Olsson, Goodwillie, Vukcevic, Henley /// Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Collins, Cuellar, Warnock, Petrov, Herd, Albrighton, Ireland, N'Zogbia, Agbonlahor. Subs: Guzan, Heskey, Bannan, Weimann, Lichaj, Baker, Gardner

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      8.6 9
      Defenders
      6.5 7
      5.8 6
      6 7
      4 7
      Midfielders
      Substitution Out45′ 4.3 5
      2.5 5
      Yellow Card 5.3 6
      Substitution Out45′ 3.8 5
      3 7
      Strikers
      6.9 6
      Subs
      Substitution In45′ Goal 10 -
      Substitution In45′ 8 -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      8 8
      Defenders
      4 5
      4.8 6
      6.3 7
      4.2 7
      Midfielders
      Substitution Out75′ 7 7
      5.4 6
      Goal Substitution Out75′ 5.4 7
      5.1 7
      Substitution Out90′ 3.9 6
      Strikers
      5.1 5
      Subs
      Substitution In75′ 3.2 6
      Substitution In90′ 3 6
      Substitution In75′ 2 6

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