The striker has failed to find favour since joining from West Ham in the summer but will be hoping that this goal will give him the confidence to challenge for a first team place.
The masterful Martin O'Neill kept the same team again as Villa went in search of a top six place. That meant on form Gabby Agbonlahor and big John Carew started up front and it was Carew that opened the scoring on 29 with a header after Friedel showed rare uncertainty.
We were put under pressure in the first half as Blackburn looked to bombard Villa early on and build on their good form so far this season. But Scott Carson kept them at bay with saves from Dunn and Bentley showing he has fully exorcised his England demons.
Carson's brilliance in goal meant Villa were able to go forward with huge confidence.
Colossal captain Gareth Barry exploited it by scoring the second from the spot seven minutes after half time after Nelsen dragged back Agbonlahor.
The Kiwi defender was promptly sent off by referee Phil Dowd and with that Blackburn's hopes seemed to fade away.
Rovers were left shocked after Villa winger Ashley Young curled a brilliant third from 20 yards.
The winger looks unstoppable at the moment his team mates are certainly reeping the rewards.
And so it was left to Harewood to cap a superb away win which surely makes Villa real contenders for a European spot. They face unbeaten Arsenal on Saturday but the Claret and Blue Army will fear no-one, especially under the management of magician Martin O'Neill.