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Allan Johnston was drafted in to replace Paul Ince in midfield and Mark Schwarzer returned in goal after a two game absence.
The opening minutes were disappointing as both side struggled to settle and it was Villa had the first opportunity but Mustapha Hadji mis-kicked on the edge of the six-yard box giving Schwarzer an easy save.
Minutes later Boro were dealt a major blow when Noel Whelan pulled up while chasing a long ball into the corner. he immediately signalled to the bench and was withdrawn, Dean Windass replaced him.
A hamstring injury could keep Whelan out of next weeks FA Cup semi-final, not the news Boro wanted with Boksic also struggling for his fitness.
Villa began to dominate but the Boro defence held firm with the help of Luke Wilkshire who cleared one effort off the line.
Boro lifted their game and had a good spell which was eventually rewarded with a goal. Windass headed over from six yards but then the breakthrough came with just seven minutes left before the break.
The ball was cleared from the Villa defence and was picked up by Franck Queudrue who immediately played a ball over the top for Carbone. The Italian seemed to be out-numbered by Villa defenders but he some how managed to control the ball and hook it past Peter Schmeichel to give Boro the lead.
It was Carbone's first goal for Boro and richly deserved.
Villa came close to drawing level before the break but Schwarzer denied Juan Pablo Angel and Thomas Hitzelberger before Boro could re-group.
Boro started the second half brighter and had a couple of chances early on, Johnston had a shot deflected high into the air but Schmeichel gathered as the ball threatened to loop over his head.
Then Windass combined with Carbone to put the gritty Tyke through down the left but his fierce shot hit the side netting.
Lanky Peter Crouch was causing a few problems with his aerial ability and it was his knock down that brought Villa level on the hour mark. Angel was quickest off the mark to volley past a helpless Schwarzer from six yards.
It only helped to inspire Boro and they regained the lead within five minutes.
Carbone forced Schmeichel into a brilliant save from a Queudrue free-kick, which was whipped in from the left. from the reulting corner boro won the game.
Carbone took it and floated in the ball on the six-yard line, as the Villa defence failed to clear Ugo Ehiogu pounched to head home from close range. Ugo, Ugo rang out around the ground as the Boro fans reminded their Villa counterparts of the scorer.
Villa pressed agian for the equaliser and won numerous corners but failed to threaten, while Wilkshire almost sealed it with a powerful shot from a norrow angle which Schmeichel could only parry for a corner.
Even the introduction of Darius Vassell could not lift Villa as Boro eased to their second win in five days, which moves them above Villa into ninth place in the Premiership.
Another determined victory against a well organised and dangerous side, but at what cost. The loss of Whelan for next weeks FA Cup semi-final could cost us dearly, as Boro look decidedly weak up front, already without Carbone (cup-tied) and Ince (suspended), for without question the biggest game of the season.