Villa v Blackburn preview

Villa and Rovers meet for the fifth and final time this season

Last updated: 7th May 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Villa v Blackburn preview

O'Neill: Taking Villa into Europe

SKY BET ODDSVilla 4/7, Draw 11/4, Blackburn 11/2. Bet on Sunday's match

MATCH FACTS
The last time Villa and Blackburn met was in the 2nd leg of the Carling Cup semi-final at Villa Park and the game ended 6-4 to Martin O'Neill's side - Six + goals to be scored in the match, 17/2 - BET NOW

Blackburn have won only one of the last 10 meetings in all competitions with Villa - Blackburn to win, 11/2 - BET NOW.

Gabriel Agbonlahor has scored in his last three Premier League appearances against Blackburn - Agbonlahor to score the first goal, 9/2 - BET NOW

Aston Villa have kept a clean sheet on the final day only once in the last 11 seasons - Villa to win to nil, 7/4 - BET NOW.

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Aston Villa and Blackburn have seen plenty of each other this season and meet again on the final day.

Sunday will see the two sides go head-to-head for the fifth time over the course of the 2009/10 campaign.

They were paired together in the third round of the FA Cup and the semi-finals of the Carling Cup, with Villa enjoying the better fortune.

The last time they met was in the second leg of their last four showdown in the Carling Cup, with Martin O'Neill's side prevailing 6-4 in a thrilling encounter.

While Rovers have had to endure plenty of heartache against Villa this season, they did take the spoils in the reverse fixture in the league back in September.

Villa will be looking to make amends this time around, but have kept a clean sheet on the final day just once in the last 11 seasons.

Rovers have fared little better in their last fixture of the season in recent times, taking only one win from their last six outings at that stage of the campaign.

They have also won only one of their last 10 meetings with Villa in all competitions, with that solitary success coming at Ewood Park this season.

Villa are already assured of Europa League qualification for next season but will be looking to finish as high as possible, with fifth place still not beyond them.

Rovers have been able to steer clear of trouble during the latter stages of the season and will have their sights set on the top half of the table.

Team news

Aston Villa boss O'Neill has a full-strength squad to select from this weekend.

The Ulsterman has reported no fresh concerns ahead of the game and is expected to keep faith with those who have served him well this season.

England striker Emile Heskey is again set to start on the bench with John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor, who have scored 33 goals between them, leading the attack.

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce may give young Algerian midfielder Amine Linganzi his Premier League debut.

The 20-year-old, who moved from French club St Etienne in January, is viewed as an exciting prospect and may come in for Steven Nzonzi, who has had an operation to remove some teeth.

El-Hadji Diouf will also miss out after having his tonsils out.

Possible starting XIs

Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Ashley Young, Petrov, Milner, Downing, Carew, Agbonlahor.

Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Chimbonda, Grella, Dunn, Andrews, Linganzi, Pedersen, Roberts.

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