By Paul Brown

It was a case of so far, so good as Villa earned a first leg lead in the Carling Cup semi-final against Blackburn - and left Ewood Park with what could prove to be a vital away goal.

The first game in a two-leg contest is often a tight and cagey affair. None of that in this one as Villa played creative and expansive football throughout, with Rovers producing a spell of pressure after the break.

Pundits were wondering how Villa would react after a long sabbatical from action because of the cold snap. Would they be rusty or fresh? The answer wasn't long in arriving as Martin O'Neill's men stroked the ball around delightfully with a calm crispness.

After Emile Heskey and Gabby Agbonlahor had early efforts well saved by Paul Robinson in the Rovers goal, it was a case of third time lucky midway through the first half.

Villa were rewarded for their attacking endeveour with a stunning goal. James Milner powered forward with the ball, alongside Stewart Downing. Milner found the wing wonder down the right and Downing returned the favour, teeing up the central midfield star for a cool finish.

The game exploded into life at the end of the opening 45 minutes and Villa can feel aggrieved to have not been awarded two penalties.

First, the menacing Agbonlahor was floored in the box but Mark Clattenburg not only waved away protests but also remarkably booked the striker for simulation. Then, Pascal Chimbonda looked to have handled in the area - but again the referee favoured the home side, giving Rovers a free-kick for a foul in the build-up.

Nevertheless, the boss must have been pleased with the first half showing, with Villa looking strong in defence and so, so dangerous going forward.

The claret and blue troops began the second period on the front foot, with Heskey so close - twice - to getting an all-important touch when in on goal.

Rovers then found their feet - with the crowd getting behind the home team. And it was striker Nikola Kalinic who had the golden opportunities to get Blackburn back into the game.

He saw a header thump against the post before again cannoning the ball off the same post - this time with a close-range drive.

But Villa soon came roaring back and created a number of chances late in the game.

Ashley Young - a terror on the wing all night - couldn't stoop low enough to direct a header into the net from Downing's centre while the exciting ace then fired wide when in on goal with just the goalkeeper to beat.

It ended 1-0 to Villa but as the boss said in his post-match press conference - despite the advantage - the tie is still very much in the balance.