DAVID Dunn laid some personal ghosts to rest on Saturday after silencing the Aston Villa boo-boys.

The Blackburn Rovers midfielder beat former team-mate Brad Friedel from the penalty spot two minutes from time to seal a 2-1 win for the 10-man hosts as he enjoyed the last laugh over the jeering Villa fans.

Dunn was a constant target from the visiting fans due to his former Birmingham City allegiance, but responded to the continual abuse by firing Rovers out of the relegation zone.

His comical gaffe in a Midlands derby back in 2004, when he fell over trying a trick, has been never been allowed to be forgotten by Villa fans but he made sure his old nemesis endured a miserable journey home.

He said: "It's always good to score against Villa as a former Birmingham player. I had a few texts beforehand from my mates down there saying ‘Make sure you score against them Villa....whatevers'.

“It was awful wasn't it (his failed trick for Birmingham)? My little boy will have it on a Christmas blooper video I'm sure. I have to live with it but this has helped a little bit.

“Sky+ didn't do me any favours - it was the advert for that for three months when it was first launched.

“That was a bit of a blow for me. I could have retired if I got royalties for every time that is shown.”

After falling behind to an early Gabriel Agbonlahor goal, Rovers dominated their high-flying visitors as goals from Chris Samba and Dunn gave them a deserved second Premier League win.

Vince Grella’s 68th-minute dismissal for two yellow cards gave Rovers a mountain to climb against a side chasing their best ever Premier League start but Dunn’s late intervention, after Richard Dunne handled Franco Di Santo’s volley, proved decisive.

Rovers would have had the game wrapped up earlier had it not been for the efforts of former stopper Friedel, who produced stunning stops from Dunn and Brett Emerton .

“I've taken many penalties against Brad in training,” said Dunn.

“He'll have seen me take them in matches from the other goal as well.

“I couldn't believe he stopped the one in the first half, I was convinced it was a goal.

“I thought Brad had come back to haunt us but fortunately it was our day and we deserved it in the end.

“For me he's the best keeper in the league, even now. He must be the equivalent of a 20-goal a season striker.

“I think he could play until he's 50. Even in pre-season he beats a lot of the lads at running. He's got a few more seasons in him for sure.”

Rovers stirring victory moves them to just two points from East Lancashire rivals Burnley and, with the Clarets next up at Ewood, boyhood Rover Dunn admitted it had been the perfect weekend.

He said: “After last week it was good to get the three points in the bag. When we went down to 10 we'd have been happy with a point. But I really feel we deserved all three.

“I'm hoping to get three goals in the next home game, I'm definitely looking for at least one. I really want to beat them.

“I score the winner here and they lose 5-0, it's a good day that.”

Meanwhile Rovers are confident Chris Samba’s foot injury is not too serious after limping off late in the game.