Squad sheets: Blackburn Rovers v Aston Villa

Having seen a bunch of raw recruits perform manfully in the draw against Manchester United, Gérard Houllier may give the 37-year-old Robert Pires his first Premier League game since leaving Arsenal four years ago. If he does, it will be on a ground where Villa have won four of their previous five fixtures. With Blackburn having won just two games at Ewood and Villa with one away win all season, this will be an afternoon of moveable objects meeting resistible forces and, although Brett Emerton may miss out, Blackburn should have El Hadji Diouf back to face the man who brought him to English football. Tim Rich Venue Ewood Park, Sunday 1.30pm Tickets £15-30 (0871 222 1444) Last season Blackburn 2 Aston Villa 1 Referee M Oliver This season's matches 5 Y 19, R 2, 4.20 cards per game Odds Blackburn 11-8 Aston Villa 12-5 Draw 23-10 Blackburn Subs from Bunn, Roberts, Chimbonda, Emerton, MB Diouf, Linganzi, Goulon, Hanley, Doran, Morris Doubtful Emerton (hamstring) Injured Benjani (hamstring, 27 Nov), Grella (achilles, 27 Nov), Nzonzi (hamstring, 27 Nov), Andrews (groin, Jan), Olsson (calf, unknown) Suspended None Form guide LWWLLD Disciplinary record Y24 R1 Leading scorers Kalinic, Pedersen, Roberts 2 Aston Villa Subs from Guzan, Delfouneso, Pires, Ireland, Lichaj, Osbourne, Lowry, Johnson, Herd, Collins Doubtful Albrighton (calf), Clark (calf), Dunne (knee) Injured Cuéllar (calf, 27 Nov), Reo-Coker (knee, 27 Nov), Beye (ankle, 1 Dec), Carew (calf, 6 Dec), Heskey (knee, 6 Dec), Delph (knee, Jan), Petrov (knee, Jan), Sidwell (achilles, Jan), Weimman (ankle, Feb) Suspended None Form guide DWDDLD Disciplinary record Y26 R0 Leading scorer Downing 4 Match pointers • These sides have met six times since the start of last season, twice in the league and four times in cups – Villa won all four Cup games and Rovers the two in the league • Blackburn have committed more fouls (190) than any other top-flight team • Ashley Young has won more free kicks (34) than any other player this season • There have been five goals scored in the last 10 minutes of the past four league meetings between these two • Aston Villa have dropped most points from winning positions (12) this season