Villa suffered only their third defeat of the season as Tim Sherwood struck two minutes from time to snatch the points for Rovers.

BBC Radio 5 Live's Ron Jones reports from Ewood Park

The visitors needed a draw to regain top spot from Chelsea, who beat Southampton earlier in the day, and looked set to do it when Riccardo Scimeca equalised Kevin Gallacher's opener.

But Sherwood brushed past a challenge after a long ball was headed down to further underline Blackburn's improvement since manager Brian Kidd arrived from Manchester United.

There was more bad news for Villa with goalkeeper Michael Oakes sent off in the 56th minute after being adjudged to have handled deliberately outside his area.

He is their only senior 'keeper with Mark Bosnich a prolonged absentee due to a shoulder injury and boss John Gregory must now step up his search for extra cover.

A welcome return

Kevin Gallacher nets the opening goal

Gallacher was restored to the Blackburn side alongside striker partner Chris Sutton after three weeks out with a hamstring injury.

He did not have long to wait for his first opening of the game when Sutton nodded down Keith Gillespie's centre, but Gallacher hammered the ball over from 12 yards.

Rovers enjoyed plenty of possession but took 23 minutes to seriously threaten Oakes, who brilliantly pushed Sutton's header away following a free-kick by Keith Gillespie.

The 'keeper excelled again ten minutes later by stretching out his right-hand to deny Gillespie, who attempted a curler with the outside of his boot after being played in by Sherwood.

Kevin Gallagher score the first goal (BBC Radio 5 Live)

John Filan showed his ability by holding Lee Hendrie's fierce 20-yard shot through a packed goalmouth, before Gallacher gave Rovers the lead in the 44th minute.

Jason Wilcox's corner led to Sherwood crashing a shot against the bar, but Gallacher was first to react and his diving header broke the deadlock.

Controversial dismissal

Things went from bad to worse for Villa when Christian Dailly played a long ball, forcing Oakes to come out to collect.

Riccardo Scimeca celebrates his equalising goal

His momentum carried him outside the area and referee Dermot Gallagher showed the red card - although TV replays appeared to show that Oakes dropped the ball before crossing the 18-yard line.

Villa withdrew Hendrie to allow youngster Adam Rachel to take over between the posts and they underlined their resilience by going close in the 65th minute.

Former Bolton midfielder Alan Thompson exchanged passes with Steve Watson but his shot was just wide of the Rovers goal.

Time seemed to be running out when Alan Wright sent over a cross, but the ball ran free after Stan Collymore challenged the home defence and Scimeca struck an instant shot past Filan to level the scores.

They had just nine minutes to survive to move back to the head of the Premiership but Kevin Davies headed the ball down into Sherwood's path and he had the strength to direct it past Rachel and give the Rovers fans another dose of Christmas cheer.

Blackburn: Filan, Kenna, Davidson, Sherwood, Henchoz, Gallacher, Sutton, Wilcox, McKinlay, Dailly, Gillespie. Subs: Davies, Duff, Broomes, Johnson, Fettis.

Aston Villa: Oakes, Wright, Southgate, Ehiogu, Watson, Taylor, Thompson, Joachim, Dublin, Hendrie, Scimeca. Subs: Charles, Draper, Collymore, Grayson, Rachel.