Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce could be without a number of key players for the Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Aston Villa at Ewood Park.
Vince Grella (thigh) and Jason Roberts (knee) are ruled out through injury while Benni McCarthy (back) and Gael Givet (head) remain doubtful.
El-Hadji Diouf is also absent through suspension with Blackburn looking to bounce back after losing 4-1 to Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League on Monday.
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce is calling on one of his players to deliver the x-factor and take the side closer to Wembley. He recalled playmaker Jay-Jay Okocha's majestic performance at this stage of the competition for Bolton in 2004, when he was manager of the club.
The Nigerian scored a brace, both from free-kicks, in a 5-2 victory against Villa before departing for the African Nations Cup. That three-goal lead was good enough to see Bolton through to the final at the Millennium Stadium, where they lost to Middlesbrough.
Now Allardyce wants a Blackburn player to replicate Okocha in this the club's sixth semi-final appearance in either the Carling Cup or FA Cup in eight years.
He said: "Hopefully someone will be inspired to deliver something like that for us. That is what you need in those particular games to get through.''

Villa manager Martin O'Neill has no fresh injuries to contend with ahead of the game. Only Curtis Davies remains on the sidelines due to a lack of match fitness following his recovery from a dislocated shoulder.
O'Neill is expected to field a strong side for the match at Ewood Park, with goalkeeper Brad Guzan likely to continue his run of cup appearances in place of regular number one Brad Friedel.

ESPN

Match will be on HiSoccer.

When is the second semi coming up?

Man City - Man Utd (Ist leg), Tuesday 19th.
2nd leg, Wednesday 27th.

Aston Villa - Blackburn (2nd leg), Wednesday 20th.

1-1 Draw

all this fixtures are too cumulative! its worrying

well for Villa against burn, i see a 3 - 2 win for the HOMERS!

Villa all the way!
hope they beat Blackeye rovers
and go on to defeat either the red or blue scummies in the final

HNIC:

Villa all the way!
hope they beat Blackeye rovers
and go on to defeat either the red or blue scummies in the final

on that note i think the winner from their vila or burn will win the milk Cup!

villa 4 da milk cup