BLACKBURN Rovers are out of the Carling Cup after Aston Villa came from behind to give Gerard Houllier victory in his first game in charge in tonight's third-round clash.

Rovers went ahead through Gael Givet but Emile Heskey's introduction from the bench changed the game, with the striker scoring before Ashley Young's double put Villa into the last 16.

Villa had the first chance of the game when Mark Bunn saved Young's effort, but Phil Jones forced Brad Guzan into action at the other end.

Villa lost Gabby Agbonlahor to injury and Rovers went ahead in the 34th minute as Morten Gamst Pedersen's long throw was only half cleared and Givet seized on the loose ball to lash it low into the bottom corner of the net with his right foot from 20 yards.

Young put a free kick over for the hosts but Rovers came close to making it 2-0 just after half time as Pedersen's low 20-yard effort was parried by Guzan and Brett Emerton could not quite convert the rebound.

But Villa were level in the 59th minute as, just a minute after coming on, Heskey raced on to Young's pass and confidently drilled the ball into the far corner.

Barry Bannan then forced a save from Bunn as Villa pushed for a second, although Rovers substitute Chris Samba had a header saved at the other end.

Villa took the lead with 15 minutes left, though, as Young met Nathan Delfouneso's right-wing cross with a header that squeezed between Bunn and the near post when it possibly should have been saved.

And it was 3-1 just two minutes later as Heskey broke free down the right and squared for an unmarked Young to add his second of the game.

Rovers: Mark Bunn, Pascal Chimbonda, Ryan Nelsen (Chris Samba 66), Gael Givet, Martin Olsson, Phil Jones, Steven Nzonzi, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Brett Emerton, Benjani (Mame Biram Diouf 62), Junior Hoilett (Nikola Kalinic 77). Subs not used: Frank Fielding, Josh Morris, Amine Linganzi, El-Hadji Diouf.

Aston Villa: Brad Guzan, Eric Lichaj, Carlos Cuellar, Ciaran Clark (Curtis Davies 76), Stephen Warnock, Ashley Young, Steve Sidwell, Nigel Reo-Coker, Barry Bannan, John Carew (Emile Heskey 58), Gabby Agbonlahor (Nathan Delfouneso 32). Subs not used: Brad Friedel, Habib Beye, Moustapha Salifou, Isaiah Osbourne.

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

Attendance: 18,753.