Aston Villa 0, Blackburn 1: Full Time Report
Rovers boss Sam Allardyce brought on Morten Gamst Pedersen for another debutant, Amine Linganzi, at half-time and the substitute's free-kick was punched away by Friedel shortly after the restart.
Dunn then thought he had won a penalty after going down in the box under a challenge by Collins having been fed by Keith Andrews.
Replays suggested contact was made between the two players, but referee Steve Bennett adjudged Dunn to have dived and showed him the yellow card.
Villa almost made the breakthrough moments later but Milner was unable to get the decisive touch at the far post after Carew had headed on Downing's cross.
Friedel then pushed away a drive from Andrews, but it was the hosts who were still looking the more incisive as Stiliyan Petrov fired a shot into the side-netting.
It was Villa's turn to scream for a spot-kick 15 minutes from time when Samba tangled with Carew, but again it was to no avail as Bennett waved play on.
That would be Carew's last contribution as he departed the field for Emile Heskey, who could have made an immediate impact but sent a bouncing header wide from just a few yards out.
Villa manager Martin O'Neill then threw on Nathan Delfouneso in search of a winner, but it was Rovers who found it six minutes from time.
Olsson delivered the cross and Junior Hoilett dived to meet it with his head - but it was his marker Dunne who got the final touch as the ball flashed past Friedel and in.
Milner then stung Robinson's palms with a volley, but Rovers hung on to secure their place in the top half.
