Ciaran Clark nodded Villa ahead but Rovers were quickly level as Nikola Kalinic bundled home from close range.

BBC: Aston Villa 3-1 Blackburn

Kightly cleverly cut inside Ciaran Clark before guiding a curling shot past a posse of Villa defenders and Given's outstretched hand.

BBC: eng-prem

"He is a nice lad but, as you know, we have four centre-backs in James Collins, Richard Dunne, Carlos Cuellar and Ciaran Clark, " said the Frenchman.

BBC: Curtis Davies joins Birmingham from Aston Villa

Already this season the likes of defenders Eric Lichaj and Ciaran Clark, midfielders Jonathan Hogg and Barry Bannan and striker Andreas Weimann have had a taste of first-team action.

BBC: Marc Albrighton

Soon afterwards, Givet gave Rovers the lead with a stunning strike - smashing the ball into the corner of the net after Ciaran Clark had half-cleared Morten Gamst Pedersen's throw.

BBC: Aston Villa 3-1 Blackburn