Blackburn Rovers are in desperate need of picking up three points at Ewood Park when they take on Aston Villa this weekend.

The struggling Lancashire side aim to jump out of the relegation zone with a victory on Saturday, while Villa will have to get used to playing with Darren Bent, who has been ruled out for up to three months with an ankle injury.

With former Blackburn captain Chris Samba beginning his new career with Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala, Steve Kean is expected to start Bradley Orr and Martin Olsson at the back.

Meanwhile, Alex McLeish could call upon Emile Heskey and Gabriel Agbonlahor to lead the line following Bent's injury and the departure of loan signing Robbie Keane.

Current form:

Blackburn: WDLLWL
Aston Villa: WLDLLD

Possible lineups:

Blackburn: Robinson; Hanley, Orr, Martin Olsson, Dann; Marcus Olsson, Petrovic, Pedersen, Formica, Hoilett; Yakubu

Aston Villa: Given; Hutton, Collins, Cuellar, Warnock; Albrighton, Ireland, Bannan, N'Zogbia; Heskey, Agnolahor

Sports Mole says: 1-2