‘Immense’: Blackburn Rovers ace Darragh Lenihan receives high praise despite Aston Villa struggle

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Blackburn Rovers lost 2-1 at Aston Villa on Saturday.

Blackburn Rovers boss Tony Mowbray has singled out Darragh Lenihan for praise despite the defender having a tough time against Aston Villa’s Tammy Abraham on Saturday, Lancashire Telegraph report.

“Lenihan is immense. It’s amazing when you watch him on the training field how dominant he is. Having someone who can head goal kicks back over the halfway line, the other defenders know he’s coming and he towers over them,” Mowbray explained following his side’s defeat at Villa.

“Something as basic as that makes a difference to any football team. You’re not having to defend the edge of your box every time. He was a huge difference for me.”

Lenihan came back into the starting XI for the trip to Villa following an eight-game absence with injury.

The Republic of Ireland international has been a big miss for Rovers over the past two months. However, he couldn’t do much to help his side on Saturday as they came up against a Villa side bang in form.

Tammy Abraham is one of only a few players to hit at least 20 league goals this season, and he extended his excellent scoring record at Villa Park on Saturday.

Abraham took five shots, completed two successful take-ons and created one chance. Blackburn’s Lenihan got the better of him in the aerial duels, winning six, but he struggled to get his foot on the ball as he managed just one successful tackle.

Rovers have now conceded 44 goals in 20 away games in the Championship this season. Mowbray knows he will need to strengthen his defence this summer if he wants the side to push towards the top six.