Aston Villa's on-loan Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson returns for Saturday's Premier League clash with Blackburn after missing Monday's 2-2 draw against his parent club at Anfield because he was ineligible.

But captain Gareth Barry remains a major doubt with the pelvic injury suffered in training 10 days ago; the midfielder is only making slow progress on the road to recovery and Craig Gardner is again on stand-by to replace him.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill will check defender Olof Mellberg is in the right frame of mind as he prepares to sign a pre-contract agreement with Juventus.

Blackburn will be without Ryan Nelsen for the after the New Zealand defender was advised to rest a hamstring problem.

Zurab Khizanishvili, who this week signed a three-year contract extension at Ewood Park, is set to replace Nelsen in the centre of the Rovers defence as they look to extend their five-match unbeaten run in the league.

Striker Jason Roberts is hoping to keep his place after being rewarded with a rare start against Middlesbrough last week, while Turkish midfielder Tugay is doubtful with a groin injury and South African midfielder Aaron Mokoena is still away on African Nations Cup duty.