ROQUE Santa Cruz grabbed his 15th goal of the season as Blackburn Rovers deservedly claimed a point at Villa Park.

The Paraguayan international fired Rovers ahead midway through the second half when he swooped to score from close-range.

But Villa then hit back and equalised through England hopeful Ashley Young, who turned in a lively display in front of his new national coach Fabio Capello.

Rovers had the better of the first half and should have taken the lead when referee Howard Webb awarded a penalty in the 24th minute for a foul by Nigel Reo-Coker on David Bentley in the area.

However, Matt Derbyshire's spot-kick lacked both the power and precision to beat England goalkeeper Scott Carson, who flung himself to his right to make a comfortable save.

In contrast, little was seen of Villa as an attacking force before the break, their only threat coming from the occasional set-piece.

The action livened up considerably in the second half, and it was Rovers who finally broke the deadlock in the 67th minute.

David Dunn showed great strength in shrugging off Curtis Davis before firing in a shot that Carson could only parry.

Then when the ball broke free, the predatory Santa Cruz was first to react, turning the rebound past Carson and defender Wilfrid Bouma.

However, the lead lasted just six minutes before Villa were back on level terms.

Steven Reid fouled Gabriel Agbonlahor on the edge of the area and Young stepped up to curl an exquisite free kick beyond Brad Friedel.

After that, Villa went close to pinching a winner as Marlon Harewood planted a header against the crossbar, and another Young free kick curled inches wide of Friedel's far post.

But had either of those efforts gone in, it would have been harsh on Rovers, who deserved to take at least a point on the day.

Villa: Carson, Mellberg, Davis, Laursen, Bouma, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Barry, Young, Agbonlahor, Carew. Subs: Harewood (for Petrov, 61) Not used: Taylor, Knight, Gardner, Osbourne Rovers: Friedel, Emerton, Ooijer, Samba, Warnock, Reid, Derbyshire, Bentley, Dunn, Pedersen, Santa Cruz. Subs: Roberts (for Derbyshire, 88) Not used: Brown, McCarthy, Khizanishvili, Berner Referee: Mr H Webb Attendance: 39,602