Blackburn maintained their push for European football next season to end Aston Villa's bid for a place in the club record books.

Second-half goals from captain Andy Todd and Craig Bellamy mean boss Mark Hughes' side have taken 19 points from their last seven matches at Ewood Park, lifting them up to fifth in the Barclays Premiership.

Villa have only themselves to blame for failing to equal a 101-year mark of nine successive unbeaten away games as they wasted numerous opportunities throughout the 90 minutes.

At times in the first half it was easy to see why Villa came into the game boasting such an impressive away record, and on the flip side why Rovers are on a high at home.

Sadly, for the most part, the moments of quality were too few and far between as the long periods of tedium were the norm.

If Villa had taken the lead after just 25 seconds then it could have been an altogether different affair, with the chance spurned indicative of their performance as a whole.

Aaron Hughes, switched to right-back to accommodate the return of Olof Mellberg to the centre of defence, delivered a raking ball that split covering defenders Michael Gray and Ryan Nelsen.

The intuitive Gareth Barry, in spotting the opportunity, had made his way from left wing to collect the pass.

But after rounding goalkeeper Brad Friedel, who had raced off his line in a bid to clear the danger, Barry's eventually disappointing 15-yard shot from an awkward angle struck the sidenetting.

Rovers quickly countered through Florent Sinama Pongolle, with the on-loan striker from Liverpool whipping a low ball into the near post for Bellamy, but with an alert Thomas Sorensen saving at the feet of the Wales international.

Then came one of those dull spells, highlighted by too many mis-placed passes that frustratingly broke up play.

It was eventually ended by a weak Bellamy header in the 17th minute that was comfortably collected by Sorensen, before Villa enjoyed a purple patch in which they should have grabbed the lead.

Rovers were ragged at the back as Villa cut them open, although were nevertheless initially indebted to Nelsen for first producing a stunning clearance from inside his own six-yard box with Kevin Phillips primed to tap home into an empty net.

Moments later a clean-through Milan Baros saw his attempted flick beyond Friedel nudged wide by the American's outstretched right leg.

That was swiftly followed by Friedel tipping over the bar a header from Mellberg as the Swede met a Barry corner.

With the exception of one viciously curling free-kick that scraped the bar from Morten Gamst Pedersen, restored to the line-up after recovering from a hamstring strain, the first half petered out to a welcome interval whistle.

It was with relief the game then opened up in second half, with Todd controversially grabbing the opener from his side's first corner for his third goal of the season, and first in the Premiership since the opening day.

Pedersen's ball into the heart of the area was first touched on by Steven Reid - seemingly with his left hand - and then flicked goalwards by Bellamy.

With Sorensen failing to collect, it allowed Todd to stab home from a yard, much to the goalkeeper's annoyance as he firmly believed he had been fouled.

Villa were further frustrated five minutes later when referee Dermot Gallagher turned away penalty appeals, unsurprisingly as Barry's thunderous shot was driven against the right hand of Todd.

For a brief spell, and with the comfort of their lead, Blackburn took control, and but for Luke Moore clearing off the line a Todd header in meeting another Pedersen corner, it would have been 2-0.

Then came another few minutes of madness for Villa, wasting three more glorious chances in four minutes, ultimately proving their downfall.

On the hour Baros was again sent racing clear, but in wanting to shoot with his right foot, Friedel was able to cover the eventual shot with a fine blocking save.

The Czech Republic international blew it again two minutes later, this time planting a stooping header over the bar from seven yards.

It was Baros who then teed up the fast-arriving Barry with a ball across the 18-yard box, but the left-foot shot fizzed past the post.

Villa were made to pay the price in the 71st minute, with Bellamy sealing the points with his 13th goal of the season.

The Welshman and Sinama Pongolle worked the opening inside the area, with the latter teeing up Pedersen, only for Sorensen to block at the feet of the Norwegian.

However, the ball sprang loose to Bellamy following in and he curled home the crucial second off the unfortunate Sorensen's left arm.

Teams

Blackburn Friedel, Neill, Todd, Nelsen, Gray (Mokoena 64),Bentley (Emerton 69), Savage, Reid, Pedersen, Bellamy,Sinama Pongolle (Dickov 79).

Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Kuqi.

Goals: Todd 49, Bellamy 71.

Aston Villa Sorensen, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Bouma,Moore, McCann, Davis, Barry, Phillips (Angel 82),Baros (Hendrie 81).

Subs Not Used: Taylor, Samuel, Whittingham.

Booked: McCann.

Att: 21,932

Ref: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).