*Gerard Houllier made a winning start as Aston Villa manager as his side fought back to beat Blackburn and reach the fourth round of the Carling Cup.*

Gael Givet put Rovers ahead with a fierce drive from the edge of the area.

After struggling to respond, the home side improved after the break and Emile Heskey levelled with a cross-shot within seconds of coming off the bench.

Ashley Young met Nathan Delfouneso’s cross to make it 2-1 and quickly added a third goal after Heskey’s solo run.

Houllier will want to forget a first half that saw his side struggle to settle and Gabriel Agbonlahor limp off after half-an-hour.

Soon afterwards, Givet gave Rovers the lead with a stunning strike - smashing the ball into the corner of the net after Ciaran Clark had half-cleared Morten Gamst Pedersen’s throw.

Pedersen came close to doubling his side’s lead after the interval, when his curling effort was pushed away by Brad Guzan.

Villa changed their formation at the break but the game turned on the introduction of Heskey on 58 minutes, with the man that Houllier signed for Liverpool a decade ago making an instant impact.

Young set Heskey free and he took two touches on the left-hand side of the area before burying a low drive in the opposite corner of the net.

By now Villa were well on top and Barry Bannan saw his shot saved by Mark Bunn before Carlos Cuellar headed wide from a Young corner.

Houllier’s side kept coming forward and edged ahead after 76 minutes when Delfouneso crossed for Young to head home.

And it was Young who capped a fine performance by sealing victory seconds later, when he met Heskey’s cross from close range.

*Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier:*

“I know what Emile can do. He showed a few things in training to indicate he was in good form.

“He was decisive. With Emile, it’s a matter of confidence. It’s the same with all strikers but probably more so with him. He knows I like him - I signed him for Liverpool.

“John Carew probably tired out the Blackburn defenders. Emile came on and was showing freshness, scored one goal and played a part in the other two.”