Blackburn midfielder Brett Emerton is a major doubt for the visit of Villa after the Australian suffered a hamstring injury on international duty in Egypt in midweek and will be given a late fitness test.
Emerton joins a lengthy injury list including Benjani Mwaruwari (hamstring), Vince Grella (Achilles), Keith Andrews (groin), Martin Olsson (calf) and Steven Nzonzi (hamstring). El-Hadji Diouf should be fit after a hamstring problem while David Dunn is also in contention to start.
Robert Pires could make his Villa debut in Sunday's trip to Rovers.
Pires, who has signed a six-month deal with Villa, has declared himself fit enough to play some part against Rovers after training with former club Arsenal for the past two months.
Villa boss Gerard Houllier will check on the fitness of striker Gabriel Agbonlahor (shin), midfielder Ciaran Clark (calf) and central defender Richard Dunne (knee).
Blackburn (from): Robinson, Chimbonda, Nelsen, Goulon, Samba, EH Diouf, Jones, Givet, Pedersen, Dunn, Emerton, Hoilett, Kalinic, Roberts, MB Diouf, Hanley, Linganzi, Bunn.
Aston Villa (from): Friedel, Guzan, Luke Young, Beye, Collins, Dunne, Cuellar, Warnock, Albrighton, Bannan, Pires, Ireland, Hogg, Downing, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor, Delfouneso, Lowry, Lichaj, Herd, Johnson.
