Former Birmingham midfielder David Dunn broke Villa hearts with an 89th-minute penalty as 10-man Blackburn came from behind to snatch victory at Ewood Park.

Gabby Agbonlahor struck early on with his fifth goal in as many games to put Villa ahead, but Rovers fought back and levelled when Christopher Samba capitalised on a Richard Dunne error to equalise.

Blackburn midfielder Vince Grella received his marching orders midway through the second half for two bookable offences.

But Villa never took advantage of having the extra man and were made to pay at the death. Villa defender Dunne was adjudged to have handballed inside the box and Dunn kept his cool to slot home the penalty and end a run of six straight wins.

For the second time in four days Agbonlahor opened the scoring with a third-minute goal and again John Carew was the provider.

The Rovers defence was nowhere to be seen as Agbonlahor was sent clean through from Carew’s flick-on and the Villa forward’s scuffed shot crept inside the far post.

But it took an outstanding block from Stephen Warnock, who was given a warm reception on his return to Ewood Park, to deny Franco Di Santo what looked a certain goal after five minutes.

Despite keeping clean sheets in their last four games Villa’s defence looked uneasy and it was no surprise when Blackburn levelled on 24 minutes, the only surprise was that it came courtesy of their two centre-backs.

Ryan Nelsen lofted a ball into the area which Dunne failed to deal with and Samba slotted into the left corner.

Villa were agonisingly close to regaining the lead just four minutes later when Young fired a half volley from James Milner’s cross inches past the post.

Down the other end, it took a world-class save from ex-Blackburn keeper Brad Friedel to tip David Dunn’s bicycle kick from inside the six-yard box over the bar.

Rovers’ aerial threat continually caused the claret and blue problems, but it was Villa who came closest in the second half when Dunne fired over from 10 yards following a penalty-box scramble.

Grella picked up a second yellow for a late lunge on Milner, but Villa never made the advantage count and were punished a minute from the whistle.