PAUL Gallagher enhanced his growing reputation with a stunning hat-trick last night as Rovers built-up a crucial first leg advantage in this Under 19 play-off final.

The young Academy striker stole the show with some clinical finishing in this eight-goal thriller as Rovers buried Villa under a second half blitz.

And team coach Rob Kelly was full of praise for the Glasgow-born youngster following his man of the match heroics.

"We don't normally like to single individuals out but Gally was terrific tonight," said Kelly.

Rovers had to come from behind after Villa surged into a 3-2 lead during a breathtaking first half.

However, a half-time reshuffle proved the catalyst for a thrilling second half fightback by the home side as a crowd of 1,673 was treated to some of the most entertaining football seen at Ewood in a while.

Not for the first time this season, Gallagher was the talisman with an inspirational performance up front.

He took his tally for the season to 31 in 36 games with three classic strikes but it was his all-round contribution which shone like a beacon on the night.

He fired Rovers ahead with a strike of exceptional quality in the eighth minute.

Alan Morgan's shot struck a defender and before Villa could blink the Higher Croft teenager had bent an exquisite effort into the top corner from 18 yards.

Villa struck back five minutes later with a stunning effort of their own as Finnish international Mika Aaritalo beat Kieron Renton with a superbly executed volley.

But Rovers were back in front again within two minutes when John Fitzgerald rose to head home a Morgan free kick.

Villa always looked dangerous on the break, however, and goals from Liam Ridgewell and Aaritalo put them 3-2 up at the interval.

Kelly changed his formation and replaced Ian Black with Jemal Johnson at the start of the second half and the switch had the desired effect.

Gallagher equalised in the 47th minute with a improvised over-head kick then two minutes later it was 4-3 as Morgan tricked his way past a couple of challenges before arrowing a shot past Wayne Henderson.

It was then left to that man Gallagher to complete his hat-trick with a typical poacher's finish at the far post after Morgan had mis-cued an attempted shot.

ROVERS: Renton, Cole, Whelan, Donnelly, Fitzgerald, Bruce, Watt, Harkins, Gallagher, Black, Morgan. Subs: Johnson (for Black, 46), Bell (for Gallagher, 85), Martin (for Watt, 89) Not used: Cumming, Drench

VILLA: Henderson, Amoo, Stuart, Cahill, Ridgewell, Cornell, Marshall, Aaritalo, Brazil, Hynes, Foley. Subs: O'Connor (for Amoo, 59), Davis (for Marshall, 59), Nix (for Brazil, 74) Not used: Ennis, Yarnold

ROVERS UNDER 19S ...5 ASTON VILLA U19S ...3