But it was Dublin, whose Villa career had looked over when he was loaned out to Millwall last season, who was the main reason for his side continuing their league revival with 13 points from the last 18.

The 33-year-old has now been on target eight times in the last 10 games to take his tally for the campaign to 14.

But Barry, although not at his very best, also did his chances no harm when he put the icing on a convincing Villa performance with the third goal nine minutes from time – and his second in two games.

Graham Taylor’s side had been trounced 4-1 in the FA Cup meeting on the same ground three weeks ago, but they dominated this encounter and leap-frogged over Rovers in the table.

Dublin was a constant threat while Johannes Gudjonsson and Thomas Hitzlsperger ensured Villa had control of the midfield.

And at the back there were solid performances from Olof Mellberg and Ronny Johnsen as Blackburn’s strike force of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke barely posed a threat.

Indeed, Rovers were second best in all departments with only Tugay emerging with much credit.

Villa got off to the perfect start with Dublin putting them ahead with a trademark headed goal after two minutes.

David Thompson conceded a free-kick on the left flank after fouling Gareth Barry and the resulting cross from Gudjonsson was met by Dublin who climbed above Martin Taylor to send his header into the corner of the net.

Thompson became the first player to be yellow carded after 11 minutes for another clumsy tackle – this time on Gudjonsson.

Vratislav Gresko, signed by Rovers boss Graeme Souness from Parma last week, threatened for the first time when he tried his luck from 35 yards out, but his dipping effort was just too high to trouble Enckelman.

Blackburn started to come more into the game, but Villa were looking quite solid with Gudjonsson protecting the back four and breaking up attacks and passing effectively.

Barry was booked after 34 minutes by referee Mike Dean after he had gone tumbling to the floor following a clash with Thompson.

Then Johansson followed him into the notebook after chopping down Darius Vassell – and from the free-kick Villa nearly doubled their lead.

Olof Mellberg floated the ball into the box and his centre-back partner Ronny Johnsen found himself unmarked eight yards out, but Brad Friedel was able to parry his right-footed volley.

The American also pushed away a drive from Stefan Moore, but Villa were not to be denied and five minutes before half-time Dublin doubled their lead with another clinical finish.

Johnsen and Barry were involved in the build-up before the latter played the ball into the path of Dublin, who made no mistake with a left-footed effort into the corner of the net from 12 yards out.

James McEveley was the next player to be cautioned by Dean after wrestling Mark Delaney to the ground a minute before the break.

Souness made a half-time switch of formation, bringing on Egil Ostenstad – in place of John Curtis – alongside Andy Cole with Dwight Yorke dropping into the ‘hole’ behind the front two.

But it was Villa who continued to look the more threatening and they twice came close to adding to their lead.

Moore created an opening for himself and then volleyed inches wide of the unsighted Friedel’s far post.

Then Dublin laid the ball into the path of Thomas Hitzlsperger, who curled a 25-yard shot just pas the post with Friedel scrambling across his line.

Johnsen volleyed just over after meeting a corner from Hitzlsperger, who then cut inside and saw Friedel claw onto his low drive at the second attempt.

But with nine minutes left Barry got on the score-sheet, collecting a cross from substitute Ulises de la Cruz before cutting back inside and making no mistake from 10 yards.