SAM Allardyce believes Saturday’s thrilling 2-1 defeat of Aston Villa will prove one of Rovers’ best wins of the season – as he remembers the joys of being a manager.

David Dunn kept his cool with an 88th minute penalty to fire Blackburn Rovers out of the relegation zone and deny Villa a record breaking Premier League start.

Chris Samba had earlier cancelled out Gabrield Agbonlahor’s early strike as Rovers, despite being reduced to 10 men with the dismissal of Vince Grella, earned an impressive Premier League scalp.

Allardyce said: “It is a great night and one of the best victories I think we will get this season.

“Delighted with the way we reacted to going 1-0 down to such a sloppy peiece of defending. It knocked us back but we came storming back.

“The pleasing thing for me is the quality of the performance, we have shown better than Aston Villa and that gives us great confidence going into this huge period of big boy games that are coming our way.

“It was a great day and it is why I do this god forsaken job. Sometimes for days like that. I can have a really good night and look forward to next week.”

Match winner David Dunn earned special words of praise from the delighted Rovers boss as he made sure the hosts dominance was rewarded.

He also insisted referee Mark Clattenburg was right to penalise Richard Dunne’s handball in the penalty area but admitted the official’s display didn’t please all of the home camp.

He said: “I thought Dunn was outstanding and thought he was going to get us in front with his over head kick but Brad friedel pulled off a worldie.

“We continued in the second half and got even better. The chances came and went, then we got the sending off and, from there I thought I would be happy with the draw.

“I’m glad to say the players weren’t. They worked so hard and in the end started to attack a Villa side and we deservedly got what we should have got.

“The penalty right at the death shows the attitude of the players. I am glad he has got a major decision right.

“He has got his arm above his head and that is a decision that had it not gone in our favour would have left us with a point instead of three.

“Most of the players were not happy with the balance of fouls against them, they were pretty upset at half time and full time.”

Rovers’s next three Premier League trips are at Arsenal, Chelsea and Mancester United – leaving Allardyce even more relieved about an unlikely victory.

“Playing against a top five side you very rarely win if you go 1-0 down,” he said. “We burst all the odds today to come back and win the game with 10 men,.

“That shows the determination and quality of our team. We have to keep those consistent performances and show the quality of finishing we showed today.

“Chris Samba’s finish was excellent and we limited a very talented front line to very few chances.

“We don’t play a football match to give goals away like we did in the first five minutes, I never expected that, and when that happens against a team like Aston Villa it looks a daunting task.

“We can get a great lift from this.”