ASTON Villa’s title dream was left hanging by the thinnest of threads last night after a comprehensive thrashing by in-form Blackburn Rovers.

Villa suffered a nightmare at Ewood Park as two goals from Mike Newell and another from £2.5 million new boy Kevin Gallacher virtually killed off their championship chances.

NEWELL opened his account in the ninth minute after Stuart Ripley’s deep centre had been headed back into the danger area.

The Blackburn striker turned on it in an instant to beat Mark Bosnich from eight yards for his 18th goal of the season.

It was a body blow to Villa, who had started so well and seen £1.7million forward Dalian Atkinson hit the bar from just a couple of yards out after only 69 seconds.

Atkinson then wasted the chance to make amends in the 14th minute when he fired over from just six yards after Steve Staunton had driven in a free kick.

That miss became even more costly when Blackburn scored again moments later.

Newell’s stinging shot was parried by Bosnich but GALLAGHER was on the rebound in a flash to notch his fourth goal in just six games since his move from Coventry.

Blackburn increased their lead five minutes before the break. A superb 50-yard pass from Jason Wilcox released NEWELL between Teale and Bryan Small and he finished superbly from the edge area.