ASTON VILLA 2 Kodjia (58 pen, 70) BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 Gallagher (54)

ASTON VILLA continued their climb up the table under Steve Bruce with a home success over struggling Blackburn.

Villa are unbeaten in five games under the control of Bruce and were indebted to two goals from striker, Jonathan Kodjia.

Following a goalless first half,Villa had to come from behind for only their third home win of the season.

Battling Blackburn had taken a 54th-minute lead through their striker Sam Gallagher, but two goals, including a penalty equaliser, in 14 minutes from Kodjia enabled Villa to scramble home.

It was Blackburn who demonstrated their potential danger in the 20thminute when Sam Gallagher forced goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini to make a fine save.

This attempt certainly encouraged Blackburn to take the game to Villa and the play became more open.

Ross McCormack went closest to opening Villa’s account just before the break with a header which was saved by Jason Steele.

Blackburn, almost casually, went ahead when the totally unmarked Gallagher headed home a harmless looking left wing cross from Charlie Mulgrew in the 54th-minute.

It took Villa another three minutes to get back on level terms. Jack Grealish went on one of his dribbles across the edge of the penalty area only to be brought down by Gordon Steer.

Kodjia made no mistake form the spot to put the game back on level terms. The Ivory Coast striker then struck his second goal of the game in the 71st minute.

Only three minutes prior, Garry Agbonlahor had replaced McCormack and made an instant impact providing the pass to Mile Jedinak who played the pass from which Kodjia drove past Steele for the winner.