Pedersen Back From Injury

Blackburn are set to recall Morten Gamst Pedersen to the starting line-up as they go in search of their fourth straight home win against Aston Villa this Saturday.

Mark Hughes is hoping Rovers can continue their excellent home form from now until the end of the season. However the will face a stern test in Aston Villa a club who’ve picked up more points on their travels than at home. Rovers are chasing a ninth home game without defeat in all competitions, Villa are doing likewise away from home.

Vital Quotes:

Mark Hughes: ‘Our home form is good, it is something we have turned around this year and we need to keep it going. We have reached a high level of performance and if we can sustain it between now and the end of the season we can expect to collect a significant amount of points. Who knows where that might take us?’

Blackburn Rovers Team News:

Bellamy and Sinama-Pongolle are expected to start up front after impressing away at Spurs last weekend, which means Paul Dickov although available for selection will miss out on his 50th start for the club.

Tugay will also miss out on his 150th Premiership appearance after failing to overcome a calf injury.

Player to watch: Craig Bellamy

Bellamy is in excellent form at the minute. He set up Pedersen in the victory over Arsenal and scored and set up another at White hart Lane last week.

Aston Villa Team News:

Aston Villa have no fresh injury worries ahead of Saturday’s game but do have an F.A Cup replay against Manchester City on Tuesday to consider.

Player to watch: Gareth Barry

Has been in good form this season.

Match Facts & Stats

Should they avoid defeat, Aston Villa would equal a club record which has stood for nearly 101 years, of nine successive unbeaten away League games, within a season.

Rovers are attempting to beat Villa for the first time in four attempts on home turf. They’ve claimed just two points from a possible nine against Villa at Ewood Park since a 3-0 victory on 5 March 2002.