Aston Villa boosted for Blackburn Rovers clash

Aston Villa were highly unlucky not to take all three points against Manchester United last weekend with a very young side due to the high number of injuries that have decimated the squad.

Gerard Houllier has been forced to blood a number of inexperienced young players in recent weeks due to the long injury list at Villa Park, with the likes of Jonathan Hogg, Eric Lichaj and Chris Herd all involved last weekend. Villa dominated United and should have won the game before the visitors launched a comeback in the last ten minutes.

The manager is boosted this Sunday by the return of Ciaran Clarke, Richard Dunne and Gabby Agbonlahor to the squad for the weekend's clash with Blackburn Rovers, while he could also call upon the services of experienced France international Robert Pires.

He is expected to seal his switch to Villa Park soon and Pires, who has been training with former club Arsenal in recent weeks to ensure he is match fit, has stated it would be "no problem" if Houllier had to field him at Ewood Park on Sunday.

Villa have already beaten Blackburn in Carling Cup this season, and Sam Allardyce's side are beatable at home having only won two of their six games at Ewood Park so far this campaign. The Villains are 12/5 to win the game as they go into the tie unbeaten in their last five games in league and cup.

One thing Houllier benefits from is the fact that Villa boasts an incredible amount of pace throughout their ranks. Ashley Young, Stewart Downing and Marc Albrighton created a whole host of problems for United last time out, and the return to fitness of England man Agbonlahor, who is 13/2 to score first, only improves the attacking options Houllier has at his disposal.

Blackburn are 11/8 to win and can be a dangerous side, but their success is built on stability more than flair. If Villa's youthful exuberance kicks into gear on Sunday they are likely to create chances after chances. Aston Villa have already won plaudits for their performances this season, and the fact they can now add Pires to their ranks, a player who has won the Premier League, European Championships and the World Cup, gives them an extra degree of experience and ability that can only further enhance them.

The visiting side can climb into fifth spot with a win as they look for European qualification this season. Blackburn on the other hand are sitting too close to the relegation places for their liking and Allardyce will drill into his players the importance of three points to pull themselves further clear.