Blackburn boss Graeme Souness has said time and time again that his side's run in theUEFA Cup would affect their league form and his words were proved correct in this dullgoalless draw.
Rovers looked a shadow of the side that passed Celtic off their own pitch on Thursdaynight and could have had no complaints if Aston Villa had taken all three points.
The key moment for the visitors arrived in the 70th minute when Gareth Barry raced pastLucas Neill and pulled the ball back invitingly for Dion Dublin who screwed his shotdisappointingly wide when unmarked.
At the other end, Andy Cole should also have hit the target when substitute Tugay hadslipped him through but the ball bobbled and he blasted his effort into the crowd.
After Peter Enckelman had made a stunning save to tip a Cole header on to the bar inthe first minute, the opening half became devoid of worthwhile chances as neither teamlooked good enough to score.
This lasted until a moment of magic from David Thompson set up Garry Flitcroft to thumpan effort well over the top.
Juan Pablo Angel missed a handful of free headers to let Rovers off the hook and Barrywent close with a whipped free kick as the half drew to a close.
In the second half, Cole worked space on the left but his low cross just bypassed thethree Blackburn attackers and Damien Duff's deflected effort was kicked off the line by awrong-footed Enckelman.
Duff caused more problems when he darted in from the left and his skidding effort beatEnckelman but also the far post.
Dublin headed over from substitute Stefan Moore's cross before the former ManchesterUnited striker was replaced by Peter Crouch.
Souness said afterwards: "I can only blame our midweek game, we looked tired. Toomany of our players were not at their best today."His opposite number Graham Taylor reflected: "Our low scoring record is becoming a bit ofa psychological problem. We had chances but we can't seem to put the ball in the backof the net."