Aston Villa vs Blackburn Rovers
Match pulse
AVLAttacking pressure by 5 minutes
Who won: Aston Villa 3-0
Aston Villa beat Blackburn Rovers 3-0 on Sunday, February 2, 2003 at Villa Park. Goals for Aston Villa: Dion Dublin (2', 40') and Gareth Barry (81').
Play by play
- 92'
Man of the match Dion Dublin is cheered by the fans who take the opportunity to remind former Villa favourite Dwight Yorke the score. A disappointing performance by Rovers with the usually creative and reliable Tugay out of sorts. A great result for Villa and eight goals in two games following the club's midweek spoils against Middlesbrough.
- 92'
The final whistle blows and referee Dean puts Blackburn and their travelling support out of their misery.
- 92'
Hitzlesperger lets yet another errant shot fly, he certainly enjoys unleashing shots from distance.
- 91'
Dublin appears to have picked up a knock but with a corner in the last moments of the match he'll pick himself up as he's still on his hatrick.
- 90'
A free kick for Villa 30 yards out, Hitzlsperger fancies his chances but his low shot hits the wall and cannons off.
- 89'
22-year-old Joey Gudjonsson is subbed and gets a standing ovation from the Holt End as Lee Hendrie joins the game.
- 89'
The crowd react with a cheer as Dublin is announced as the man of the match.
- 88'
McEveley challenged by De la Cruz as the Villa press for a corner.
- 87'
Vassell is sent clean through but he fails to get the better of Friedel one on one.
- 86'
Blackurn are not being allowed time on the ball with Villa competeing for everything.
- 85'
Another chance for Villa as Johnsen connects with Hitzlsperger's free kick but the header is over the crossbar.
- 85'
Yet another booking this time for Flitcroft.
- 84'
Rovers have the ball but are being forced back to the edge of their own area as Villa press for the fourth.
- 83'
The Villa crowd find their voice and give the team the praise they deserve as Delaney is forced off through injury to be replaced by Steve Staunton.
- 81'
Souness looks very displeased with his team who failed to cope with a ball across the box which Barry dispatched comfortably after turning a defender.
- 80'
Barry nets Villa's third! But Delaney is down injured.
- 80'
A good ball in finds Vassell but Fridel races out to clear.
- 79'
Ulises De la Cruz replaces Stefan Moore for Villa.
- 77'
Jansen takes the place of Gresko who despite playing in a game in which Blackburn have failed to fire can be pleased with his debut.
- 76'
Neat passing from Gresko and Ostenstad leads to a rasping shot which Enckelman turns outs for a corner.
- 76'
Matt Jansen appears to be getting ready to join the fray as Souness looks to get something out of the game.
- 75'
Blackburn look to Tugay to create something, but despite having the ball at his feet in space he fails to find a probing ball.
- 74'
Sloppy passing by Rovers lets in Hitzlsperger but he in turn gets his pass to Dublin all wrong and Friedel gathers.
- 73'
Dublin is shouting encouragement to his team as he looks for a hatrick.
- 72'
Samuel tries to get an early ball into Dublin, but a corner is the result.
