All in all, a bad day at the office.

That’s probably the best way to sum up what proved a sobering Saturday for Villa who, after six straight wins, were just starting to convince supporters another crack at the Champions League might just be possible after all.

Even before events at Ewood Park had unfolded, the claret and blue faithful arriving in the North West were cursing the lunch-time Carling Cup draw which landed Villa a 400-mile round trip to Sunderland.

True, there could have been tougher pairings but with Villa also facing visits to Wolves and Everton that same week it means the fans will be clocking up the cash withdrawals as well as the miles in late October.

Still, a seventh successive win would have lightened the mood and after three minutes a fourth win in a row at Rovers looked on the cards when Gabby Agbonlahor conjured up his customary goal.

Just a shame Big Sam and his rugged Rovers rabble had other ideas. Robust and relentless, powerful and physical, uncompromising and unapologetic. Blackburn are the new Bolton.

Villa simply couldn’t handle the intensity of their play and, despite having the advantage of an extra man for the final quarter, it was still Martin O’Neill’s team who were the ones rocking on the ropes when David Dunn slotted home an 89th-minute winner from the penalty spot.

Yes, they could count themselves unfortunate to have conceded a spot kick but, unlucky to lose? No.

Blackburn got their game plan spot on, cutting the strings from Villa’s puppeteer, creator-in-chief Stiliyan Petrov. And the absence of Steve Sidwell in the midfield was particularly noticeable.

Not only is the ex-Chelsea and Arsenal man a goal threat, he always provides an option and relishes a midfield scrap.

While Fabian Delph caught the eye with some sublime skill and tough tackling on occasions, the teenager, quite understandably, still has a lot to learn.

As for Villa’s other main midfielder, Nigel Reo-Coker appears to be slowly clawing his way back into favour after being named among the subs on Saturday but, after failing to make it off the bench, it was again made very clear exactly who is boss.

O’Neill is unlikely to have been too impressed with his back four either. His new central defensive pairing of James Collins and Richard Dunne were yet to concede a goal in their two previous games together against Birmingham and Portsmouth and had added extra presence and power.

All very impressive – but it was only Garry O’Connor and Frederic Piquionne they had been up against.

Even before Christopher Samba, the tallest man on the park, had latched onto Ryan Nelsen’s punt into the box on – with a little help from Dunne, who not only allowed the ball to bounce but then headed it into the Rovers defender’s path – you sensed it was a case of when rather than if Blackburn scored.

No one seemed to know exactly what they were doing and it made for some heated conversations between Brad Friedel, Dunne and Stephen Warnock. Concerning? Yes. Crisis? No.

Only against Stoke and Bolton can Villa expect to have to face such an aerial onslaught and the pair won’t be the first or the last to leave Lancashire shaking their heads.

Until Saturday, both had been excellent and Dunne is sure to be fired up for what lies in store next. While Gareth Barry’s return to Villa Park will make most of the headlines, Dunne will be desperate to show City they made a mistake letting him go.

Then it’s Chelsea who make the trip to the Second City for a Saturday lunch-time kick-off following the international break.

They are two huge fixtures for the Villans which have the potential to shape a season which still holds plenty of promise.

Win or even draw them and Villa will find themselves still hanging onto the coat-tails of the big four, City and a Tottenham side looking more impressive by the week.

But, such is the quality, consistency and depth of the sides at the top this term, two defeats would leave Villa facing an uphill struggle even at this early stage. It had all began so promisingly and, ironically, Villa’s goal had Blackburn written all over it.

Goalkeeper Brad Friedel hoofed a goal kick upfield, James Milner flicked on and Agbonlahor strolled through with the Rovers defence nowhere to be seen saw his miscued shot spin in off the post.

It seems everything the England star touches turns to gold at the moment. His attempt initially appeared to be heading a yard wide of the goal but still it went in.

Villa’s lead almost lasted just a matter of minutes though when Franco Di Santo looked certain to score from close range but ex-Rover Stephen Warnock, Villa’s best defender on the day, came from nowhere to make a stunning last-ditch block.

Eventually though the pressure told, as Blackburn levelled on 24 minutes via Samba.

If Warnock’s earlier block had been brilliant it didn’t even come close to the ‘worldy’, as Sam Allardyce described it, pulled off by another returning Rover, Brad Friedel.

Quite how the big American turned Dunn’s overhead kick over the bar from point-blank range is a mystery. But somehow he did. There will be few if any better saves all season.

Villa continued to struggle against Blackburn’s aerial bombardment but typically looked a danger on the counter attack, Young coming close with a back-post volley from James Milner’s cross.

The second half provided fewer opportunities but Blackburn looked the more likely to score – even once Vincenzo Grella saw red for his second bookable offence, a poor challenge from behind on Milner.

It looked as though Villa had just about weathered the storm.

That was until Di Santo hooked an acrobatic effort towards goal, which Dunne inadvertently blocked with his upraised hand.

How the Irishman was supposed to get out of the way is a mystery, but referee Mark Clattenburg nonetheless pointed straight to the spot and the rest was history as ex-Birmingham midfielder Dunn fired past Friedel with just a minute left on the clock.

By Brendan McLoughlin