Rising young star Gabriel Agbonlahor surely secured Aston Villa's safety with a glorious winner at Ewood Park.

The England Under-21 international latched on to a superb through ball from Patrik Berger and rounded goalkeeper Brad Friedel to score in the 73rd minute.

Villa may have found points hard to come by in recent weeks but there was no lack of fighting spirit in the team.

Berger marked his return to the team by getting the equaliser after Benni McCarthy had opened the scoring from the penalty spot.

Given that they were without injured stars John Carew and Ashley Young this was a massive result for Villa.

However they did have a late scare when a free-kick from Brett Emerton came back off the bar in stoppage time.

Villa, in fact, carved out the first chance in the third minute when Shaun Maloney delivered an inswinging corner from the right.

It evaded the Blackburn defence and Morten Gamst Pedersen was grateful to scramble the ball away at the far post.

The home side, though, hit back in the 16th minute and David Bentley whipped in a shot that goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen did well to deflect to safety.

Blackburn made the breakthrough seven minutes later when McCarthy scored from the penalty spot with an unstoppable shot into the corner.

It was an early setback for Villa with the spot kick awarded after Phil Bardsley had tripped Pedersen in full flow. McCarthy showed no nerves to rattle home his 19th goal of the season.

Blackburn almost extended their lead in the 31st minute when Pedersen's ambitious free kick from distance ended on the roof of the net.

However Villa drew level in the 34th minute when there seemed little on. Bardsley delivered a cross into the area and with Blackburn's defenders standing off, Berger nipped in to score from close range. It was a precision finish by the midfielder, who is more known for his thunderous shots.

Gareth Barry came close to adding a second a minute later, cutting in side before thumping in a shot that Friedel did well to parry.

Villa were growing in confidence and Stiliyan Petrov tried his luck in the 39th minute only to see his effort go wide.

But they squandered a great chance of taking the lead in the 47th minute when a penalty was awarded.

Referee Martin Atkinson made the decision when Blackburn defender Ryan Nelsen handled a chip from Gardner.

New Zealand international Nelsen looked astonished as did manager Mark Hughes and with some justification.

Barry strode up to take the penalty, only to see his effort brilliantly parried by Friedel.

Blackburn roared back and two minutes later full back Stephen Warnock tried to curl a shot beyond Sorensen but his effort cleared the bar.

Villa were looking good going forward and Olof Mellberg peeled away from his marker in the 54th minute following a corner from Berger.

However he was unable to get enough power or direction on his header and Friedel was able to make the save.

Agbonlahor then made his mark but substitute Shabani Nonda should have brought Blackburn level a minute before the end.

But his weak header from Emerton's cross was easily saved by Sorensen.

Then Emerton was left looking on in disbelief as his effort came back off the bar.

Blackburn have now lost three games in a row - hardly the situation they wanted going into the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea a week tomorrow.

Teams

Blackburn Friedel, Emerton, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Bentley,Mokoena, Kerimoglu (Dunn 63), Pedersen, McCarthy,Derbyshire (Nonda 63).

Subs Not Used: Brown, Henchoz, Roberts.

Booked: Samba, McCarthy.

Goals: McCarthy 24 pen.

Aston Villa Sorensen, Bardsley (Hughes 80), Mellberg, Laursen,Bouma, Gardner, Petrov, Barry, Maloney (McCann 76), Agbonlahor,Berger (Davis 84).

Subs Not Used: Taylor, Moore.

Booked: Petrov.

Goals: Berger 34, Agbonlahor 73.

Att: 24,211

Ref: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).