ROVERS reserves crashed to a disappointing defeat last night at the hands of an experienced Aston Villa side.

England Under-19 international Stephen Cooke was the hero for Villa as he bagged the all-important goal midway through the second half of a dull affair at Villa Park.

And Alan Murray's side never looked like pulling one back after that as they barely trouble the home defence all night.

In a low-key first half, both sides struggled to carve out a clear goal-scoring chance in a non-descript encounter.

But Villa started to turn the screw after the break as Gareth Barry forced Alan Kelly into a smart save.

And Bosko Balaban then blazed high and wide from an inviting position.

It was a mistake by David McNamee which ultimately presented the home side with the winner, however.

The young Scot slipped while attempting a routine clearance and Cooke raced through unchallenged to slip a cool finish beyond the hapless Kelly.

Rovers never looked like equalising after that as an experienced Villa side including first team squad members Balaban, Barry, Alan Wright and Steve Stone comfortably protected their advantage in the closing stages.

Rovers: Kelly, McNamee, Greer, Taylor (Michael), Howson, Johnson, Danns, O'Brien, Corbett (Thomas, 60), Douglas (Hockenhull, 60), Richards. Subs not used: Robinson, Dunning.

ASTON VILLA RES...1 BLACKBURN ROVERS RES...0