Aston Villa secured a huge morale boosting win against Blackburn Rovers to progress to the next round of the FA Cup. Ciaran Clark nodded Villa ahead but Rovers were quickly level as Nikola Kalinic bundled home from close range.
Veteran winger Pires restored Villa's lead with a sweet half-volley before Nathan Delfouneso's header made it 3-1.
Martin Olsson fired against the bar for Rovers but, even after Villa had Nathan Baker sent off for a wild tackle, Blackburn rarely threatened a comeback.
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