Aston Villa v Blackburn 21/08/96 7.45

Aston Villa             (0) 1 Blackburn               (0) 0 FT
Southgate 64                  

Gareth Southgate celebrated his first appearance at Villa Park since his Euro 96 heartbreak with a wonder goal against Blackburn.

The England defender repaid the many messages of support he has received from the Villa fans since his semi-final spotkick agony against Germany with a spectacular strike.

An Andy Townsend corner was headed clear by Colin Hendry, but Southgate's 25-yard volley flew past startled Blackburn keeper Tim Flowers into the roof of the net.

But his goal was later overshadowed by the announcement that director of football Kenny Daglish was to leave Blackburn by mutual agreement.

Chairman Robert Coar made the shock announcement at the post-match press conference.

Earlier Southgate was mobbed by his Villa team-mates, who have given him a volley of good-natured ribbing about his Wembley miss since he reported back a week late for pre-season training.

The roar of ``There's only one Gareth Southgate'', which greeted the goal from Villa supporters in the 32,000 crowd, could have lifted the roof off the Holt End.

But it was also probably as much to do with relief as joy for Southgate after Villa had struggled to break down the Rovers defence.

The recalled Julian Joachim failed to make much impression against Scotland defender Hendry, while Dwight Yorke was also below par.

Villa's most threatening player was Ian Taylor, even though manager Brian Little had switched him into the right wing-back role in place of Scott Murray.

On three occasions he burst into the box to power in testing headers, but two were saved by Flowers, while the other - on the stroke of half-time - was shrouded in controversy.

Taylor's downward header from a Townsend corner looked to have crossed the line via the underside of the bar before Kevin Gallacher cleared.

Villa players protested strongly and manager Little remonstrated on the pitch with referee Alan Wilkie at the half-time interval.

Blackburn again looked lightweight with the departure of Alan Shearer, Gallacher squandering their best two chances.

In the 26th minute a flick by Lars Bohinen let in Gallacher, but after bursting into the area, he screwed his shot wide.

Just as poor was his 55th minute header, after he had been picked out by Georgios Donis. That flew harmlessly over the bar.

Joachim had a late chance to seal the game for Villa after being put clear by Yorke, but he summed up his evening by mis-controlling the ball and allowing Flowers to collect.

Aston Villa: (5-3-2) Oakes, Joachim, Staunton, Southgate, Wright, Ehiogu, Townsend, Taylor, Draper, Yorke, Johnson (Scimeca, 84).

Subs not used: McGrath, Nelson, Farrelly, Rachel.

Booked: Townsend.

Blackburn: (4-4-2) Flowers, Coleman, Kenna, Sherwood, Hendry, Donis, Flitcroft (Ripley, 75), Gallacher (Fenton, 59), Warhurst, Berg, Bohinen.

Subs not used: Pearce, Croft, Given.

Attendance: 32,457.

Referee: A B Wilkie (Chester-le-Street).