James Milner and Gabby Agbonlahor grabbed a goal each to continue Villa's superb recent record on the road and inflict Sam Allardyce's first defeat as Rovers gaffer.
The victory means the Claret and Blue have now claimed seven successive away wins and consequently they move up to third in the Premier League.
More importantly they currently sit eight points ahead of Arsenal in fifth, though, the Gunners play Tottenham on Sunday.
The scoreline may have read 2-0 at the final whistle but the margin could have been far greater as Villa had the ball in the net five times overall.
Emile Heskey was the first Villan to be presented with an opportunity but the striker headed wide from six yards.
The England man then had the ball in the net as his effort from Gareth Barry's free-kick beat Rovers keeper Paul Robinson but referee Steve Bennett disallowed the goal for a push on Christopher Samba.
Villa finally opened the scoring on 27 minutes as clever play from Barry and Milner from a corner resulted in the latter curling the ball into the home net.
It was a fine finish from Milner, who has been getting better and better in recent weeks.
Appeals
The Claret and Blue very rarely surrender leads these days and they continued to control proceedings for the rest of the half and, indeed, the game.
Agbonahor was next to nestle the ball in the onion bag but again Bennett ruled out the effort, this time for offside.
The speedy striker was causing problems for the sluggish Blackburn backline and his cutting run allowed Heskey the chance to open his account for the day, but the defence managed to block the shot at the last moment.
Villa went in one goal ahead and the 5,000 odd travelling fans must have been wondering whether their side would rue missed chances.
They had no need to worry, though, as Martin O'Neill's men emerged in buoyant fashion for the second half.
Milner again went close as Robinson pushed the ball round the post.
The Blackburn keeper's predecessor Brad Friedel had very little to do on his return to Ewood Park and Blackburn were restricted to failed penalty appeals and long range efforts.
Relief
Bennett, who made a habit of waving away spot kick claims, thankfully for Villa, appeared to make the wrong judgement as Zat Knight held up Jason Roberts.
But, the Claret and Blue brushed off the shouts and continued to counter attack with vigour.
Milner, who played a part in most of the away side's best moves, somehow contrived to miss from six yards with the goal gaping.
In the end it didn't matter as Agbonlahor converted with the aid of a Ryan Nelsen deflection to wrap up the points for Villa.
The relief on O'Neill's face was plain to see as he saw his side move above Chelsea into third with just 13 games remaining.
Villa's next game in the league is against the men from Stamford Bridge and they don't really come much bigger.
If the Claret and Blue can keep up the sort of scintillating form that was on show at Ewood then a top three spot, never mind a top four place, is up for grabs.