Aston Villa 1-1 Blackburn

Jan 27 2008 Colin Russell Reports

VILLA boss Martin O'Neill believes watching England boss Fabio Capello would have been impressed by the performance of winger Ashley Young.

Capello saw the former Watford player rescue a point for Villa with a stunning freekick that cancelled out Roque Santa Cruz's 11th league goal of the campaign.

Young posed the biggest threat for Villa and another free-kick floated only inches wide in the closing stages.

O'Neill said: "When we got the ball to Ashley, Capello would have been impressed with his skills.

"It was a case of getting Ashley into the game to give us opportunities.

"Funnily enough, when he lined up the free-kick I thought he would score - and I'm usually pessimistic even when I'm being optimistic!"

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes felt his side could have collected all three points had they shown greater composure.

He said: "Villa Park has not been a happy hunting ground for us and I suppose you have to be happy with your first point there in six games.

"But on reflection I think we deserved the win.We missed a penalty but did not allow that to upset us.

"We had a nice shape to our play, always looked dangerous when we broke quickly and maybe with a bit more composure in certain situations could have scored more goals."

Scott Carson saved a first-half penalty from Matt Derbyshire before Santa Cruz put the visitors ahead in 67 minutes.

But Young, Villa's most dangerous player, levelled six minutes later with a stunning 20-yard free-kick to boost his chances of being included in the England squad - Capello's first - to face Switzerland at Wembley in 11 days.