Blackburn v Aston Villa preview

14 January 2010 13:52
Blackburn and Aston Villa meet for the second time this month in tonight's weather-delayed Carling Cup semi-final first-leg at Ewood Park.

The fixture follows Villa's 3-1 FA Cup third-round victory and the in-form visitors will be hoping for a similar result to take back to Villa Park for next week's return match.

Blackburn are in dire straits having shipped 14 goals in their previous six matches and their latest loss, a 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Monday, will do little for their fragile confidence.

Villa, meanwhile, are enjoying a rich purple patch. Martin O'Neill’s troops have won six of their last eight matches in all competitions and will fancy their chances of making their first final since 2004.

Rovers boss, Sam Allardyce, has a number of injury doubts though only Jason Roberts has been definitely ruled out. Benni McCarthy is struggling with a back complaint, defender Gael Givet has a head problem and El-Hadji Diouf is missing the tie through suspension.

O'Neill has the luxury of being able to recall several of his big guns. Stiliyan Petrov, Richard Dunne and Gabby Agbonlahor - all rested for the FA Cup win – are likely to be reinstated while winger James Milner is fit again after recovering from a foot injury. Apart from Togo international Moustapha Salifou, who is missing after the tragic events in Angola, O'Neill has no selection worries.

The two teams have never met in the League Cup and while Blackburn have been struggling of late, Allardyce will be banking on his team's encouraging home form to leave them in a good position going to Villa Park.

Source: DSG