Stan Collymore made an unspectacular return to action for Aston Villa in their 2-1 reserve defeat to Blackburn.

Collymore was the star attraction in a second string side containing no less than £30million of top class first-team talent. But he failed to take the opportunity to show off his £7million-rated skills and twice missed opportunities to score.

With a possible move to First Division high flyers Fulham well and truly dead, the game was the perfect chance for the 27-year-old to put himself in the shop window since he returned from three months on loan at Paul Bracewell's club. For much of the game the best he could offer was the odd burst of pace and cross-field pass.

His real opportunity to shine came in the second half when another multi-million pound player, Paul Merson, swept through Rovers' midfield and floated a deep cross over the opposition defence for Collymore who was waiting at the far post.

All the former Liverpool and England forward could manage was a weak header which never threatened the Rovers goal and a similar cross minutes later from Najwan Ghrayib was also wasted by the forward. Collymore's presence in the Villa reserve side increased the normally poor attendance but it didn't swell the ranks of scouts from any clubs who might be tracking him.

The only goal of the game for Villa was scored by Steve Stone.