Aston Villa take a 1-0 lead back to Villa Park after a narrow win over Blackburn Rovers in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final. The visitors dominated the first half, but only had James Milner's length-of-the-field counter-attack goal to show for it at the break.

As the half-time whistle blew the home fans disenchantment with boss Sam Allardyce was again made plain with a barrage of boos.

The second period was a more even affair as Rovers came more into the game although as they pushed men forward they became vulnerable to the pace of the visitor's on the break.

Croatian striker Nikola Kalinic was a handful for the Villa's defence as he twice hit the woodwork - first with a glancing header then with a low shot.

Yet Villa posed a real danger on the break and could have settled the tie had they made the most of their chances.

In the end Martin O'Neill's men were grateful to Steven Nzonzi lack of direction as in the final minute he met David Dunn's corner unmarked but headed over.