Blackburn captain Chris Samba has been laid low with a virus but expects to be fit to play, while Gael Givet has overcome a groin injury.
Ryan Nelsen is included at his own request despite the earthquake that has devastated his hometown Christchurch.
Aston Villa
Suspended: Makoun (three matches)
Doubtful: Herd (calf) Injured: Cuellar (hamstring)
Blackburn
Doubtful: Samba (virus)
Injured: Formica & Rochina (both fitness), Hoilett (hamstring), P Jones (knee)
MATCH PREVIEW
Twelve months ago Aston Villa were gearing up for a Wembley date in the Carling Cup, having seen off Blackburn at the semi-final stage. This season Villa spend the League Cup final weekend desperate for three Premier League points to edge them up the table, while casting admiring glances towards Wembley as second-city rivals Birmingham line up for their own shot at glory.
I think it will be a vital game for us, the fans need to know that... We need everybody backing us because we haven't played for a fortnight
Gerard Houllier, Aston Villa manager
Villa have suffered only one defeat in their last six games - which equates to their best run of form since Gerard Houllier took charge last September. That said, the Midlands club are winless in three matches and kick-off just three points above the relegation zone, although victory would lift them above their opponents, who start the day in 11th.
Football has faded into insignificance for Blackburn defender and New Zealand captain Ryan Nelsen this week. The Kiwi legend plans to take to the Villa Park pitch sporting a black armband as a mark of respect for the many people killed or injured in the earthquake that has devastated his hometown of Christchurch.
The 33-year-old spent the early hours of Tuesday morning frantically trying to establish contact with his family, before eventually receiving news that all his close loved ones had emerged unscathed. His sister gave birth to a boy after going into early labour just 30 minutes after the quake struck.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Blackburn are looking to complete a second straight League double over Aston Villa following a 2-0 success at Ewood Park in November.
• Rovers won 1-0 at Villa Park on the final day of last season courtesy of a Richard Dunne own goal.
• This is the ninth fixture between these clubs in the last 18 months. Blackburn have won all three league encounters but Villa have claimed victory in all five cup matches.
Aston Villa
• The next Villa goal will be their 500th at home in the Premier League.
• Gerard Houllier's side have kept only one clean sheet in their last 17 league matches.
• Darren Bent has scored three goals in his last three games against Blackburn, Gabby Agbonlahor has fired three of Villa's last four goals against them, and Ashley Young has netted in three of the last four meetings between the clubs.
• If selected, Stiliyan Petrov will be making his 150th Premier League appearance.
Blackburn
• Steve Kean's side have lost six of their last seven away games, including each of their last three.
• Rovers have conceded 31 goals away from home this season, the equal most in the Premier League alongside opponents Aston Villa.
• If matches finished at half-time Blackburn would be fourth in the table on 43 points behind Manchester City, Arsenal and leaders Manchester United (54).
• Blackburn have failed to score in five of their last nine league fixtures.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
Aston Villa
Bent: 13 goals* (10 league); Downing: 6 goals (5 league); A Young: 6 goals (4 league); Heskey: 6 goals (3 league)
* Bent scored 11 goals (8 league) for Sunderland
Blackburn
Mame Diouf: 6 goals (3 league); Kalinic: 5 goals (4 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Assistant referees: Gary Beswick & Glenn Turner
Fourth official: Lee Probert
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Aston Villa (D1-1 v Blackpool, a): Friedel; Walker, Dunne, Cuellar (Collins 27), Clark, Agbonlahor (Bradley 73), Makoun, Reo-Coker, Downing, A Young, Bent (Heskey 57). Subs not used: Marshall, Pires, Albrighton, Delph.
Blackburn (D0-0 v Newcastle, h): Robinson; Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Olsson, Hoilett (Pedersen 46), Nzonzi, J Jones, Dunn (Emerton 64), Kalinic, Santa Cruz (Roberts 46). Subs not used: Bunn, Grella, Mwaruwari, Hanley.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport