Aston Villa 3-2 Blackburn: Gareth Barry on target again for Villa

Martin O'Neill reckons Gareth Barry has hit new heights - despite the heartache of his aborted move to Liverpool.

England midfielder Barry scored for the third successive game as Villa came from behind to beat Blackburn and climb to fourth in the table.

Villa were distinctly second best in the first half against Rovers and deservedly trailed to Stephen Warnock's opener.

But O'Neill's men scrambled an equaliser seconds before the break through defender Luke Young's first goal for the club.

Barry then netted his fifth this term in the 65th minute and Gabriel Agbonlahor struck late on before an injurytime free-kick from Rovers' Brett Emerton.

Boss O'Neill believes Barry is now more clinical than last season when his form prompted Rafa Benitez to table four bids - all of which were rejected. "I thought Gareth was great," said O'Neill. "I am delighted with him.

"Gareth was in there to score the goal which was important. No was a midfielder, getting forward and scoring goals will bring more confidence to him.

"I thought he was excellent for us last term, which might be a reason why Liverpool wanted to sign him.

"I just see that sort of performance from Gareth most of the time anyway, but he is scoring more."

Rovers were dealt a blow before kick-off as star striker Roque Santa Cruz got himself injured in the warm-up.

But Paul Ince's side took the lead in the 30th minute.

Warnock began the move, exchanging passes with Benni McCarthy before accelerating away to drill a low left-foot shot past Brad Friedel.

Villa levelled when rightback Young bundled the ball in at the second attempt following Nicky Shorey's cross from the left.

Barry, who also notched against Ajax and Wigan, then tapped in after good work by James Milner down the left in the 65th minute. Agbonlahor struck in the 87th minute with a low left-foot finish.

Emerton had the last word - but Villa held on.

O'Neill added: "Even when we are poor we are a threat.

"I thought it was our best win of the season because we were a million miles from being at our best. We didn't seem to have any energy.

"The goal before half-time, whether we deserved it or not, was vital because for most of the game we were second best. I thought they were unlucky. Our passing was poor and the defending clumsy at times, but we conjured it from somewhere."

Rovers assistant boss Ray Mathias complained: "The second goal killed us and we were sloppy."

Aston Villa: Friedel 7, L Young 7, Shorey 7, Laursen 7, Cuellar 6, Barry 7, Milner 6, Petrov 6 (Carew 46, 6), Reo-Coker 6, A Young 6, Agbonlahor 6.

Blackburn: Robinson 7, Ooijer 6, Samba 6, Nelsen 6, Warnock 7, Emerton 6, Andrews 6, Simpson 5, Pedersen 6, McCarthy 6, Villanueva 8.

Referee: Keith Stroud.

Attenence: 35,985

Man Of The Match: Carlos Villanueva (Blackburn)

Villain of the match: Danny Simpson (Blackburn)

Next three games
Aston Villa: Mon, Nov 3: Newcastle (a) Prem Thur, Nov 6: Sl Prague (a) UEFA Cup Sun, Nov 9: Midd'bro (h) Prem
Blackburn: Saturday: West Brom (a) Prem Sun, Nov 9: Chelsea (h) Prem Wed, Nov 12: Sunderland (a) Carl C