Rovers briefly rallied and Pires had to hack a Kalinic shot off the line while Friedel pushed a Chris Samba header round his post.

BBC: Aston Villa 3-1 Blackburn

Carlton Cole then screamed for a penalty after tumbling under Chris Samba's challenge, while at the other end Steven N'Zonzi saw an effort well saved by Robert Green.

BBC: West Ham 1-1 Blackburn

The only first half chance of note for the home team fell to Chris Samba, but the big defender, who later went off injured, could not generate sufficient power on his eighth minute header to trouble Edwin van der Sar.

BBC: Blackburn 0-0 Man Utd

Midfielder David Dunn and defender Chris Samba were two of the Blackburn players reported to have a virus and both of them were missing from the squad for the 5-0 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday, though Dunn did come on as a late substitute against Posh.

BBC: Unwell Allardyce avoids players