Selection woes for Allardyce

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 tomorrow.

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.

Team (from): Robinson, Olsson, Chimbonda, Jacobsen, Nelsen, Samba, Salgado, Pedersen, Givet, Nzonzi, Hoilett, Andrews, Emerton, Dunn, Di Santo, McCarthy, Kalinic, Jones, Brown, Reid.