Four talking points ahead of Rovers' trip to Aston Villa. 

RED HOT HOSTS

ROVERS are distinct underdogs for this one. Their odds of 17/4 is the longest price they have been for some time. You only have to look at the respective form to see why.

Villa have racked up four consecutive wins, scoring 11 goals in the process, while a run of four points from the last 27 available has seen Rovers drop to 16th.

Then there is there is the fact this is the division’s best attack at home, against the worst defence away from home. Villa have scored 44 times in 19 home matches, while Rovers have shipped 42 in their away fixtures.

However, with 32 goals against, Villa also have the worst defensive record at home. Their recent form is much better though, with three clean sheets in their previous four fixtures. So goals are expected.

Rovers dominated the ball in away defeats at Reading, Rotherham and Sheffield Wednesday and were picked off on the break and troubled with balls in to the box. They are unlikely to be forced in to more defending here, so will need as many bodies back fit as possible. 

INJURY UPDATE

TONY Mowbray will hold his pre-match press conference tomorrow afternoon, and the focus will undoubtedly be on the injury situation.

Darragh Lenihan’s diagnosis with a knee injury sustained at Brentford on February 2 was anything up to eight weeks, and having returned to training within the last two weeks, the Irishman’s return would be a big boost.

As would that of skipper Charlie Mulgrew who has missed the last two matches, while Jack Rodwell has been absent for the last three. The pair haven't played alongside each other since the 1-1 FA Cup draw at Newcastle on January 5, 14 matches ago.

Also in the back four, Amari’i Bell has been struggling with a back injury, but should return.

Corry Evans didn’t train during his week away with Northern Ireland to put his involvement this weekend in doubt, the third player in the squad struggling with a hamstring injury.

Rovers don’t have the deepest of squads, and the intensity of a Championship season has caught up with them. But it is hoped that Mowbray’s options, particularly defensively, will look healthier this weekend.

BACK FROM A BREAK

THESE two sides met at Ewood Park in the first game after the September international break, with an injury-time equaliser denying Rovers the three points.

They returned from the October break with a win over Leeds, though they were slow out of the blocks after the November hiatus, beaten 4-1 at Preston, conceding twice in the opening 10 minutes.

Rovers will hope to have been refreshed from a break which felt like it came at the right time.

The only judgement of that will come after the 90 minutes, but you feel a good start is essential to dampen the spirits of what will be an expectant home crowd.

TWO FROM FIVE 

ROVERS have started each of their last three matches with a three man defence, and wing-backs. A return to a back four, should the options be available, would be expected this weekend. 

Should Ryan Nyambe and Amari'i Bell be used in the full back areas, then there could be some real competition further forward on the flanks.  

Elliott Bennett, Craig Conway, Adam Armstrong, Harrison Reed and Joe Rothwell would therefore be competing for the spots either side of Bradley Dack. 

All five will have their own case to stake, with Conway and Bennett having scored last time out at Hillsborough, with Joe Rothwell was Rovers' brightest attacker.

Adam Armstrong has shown on more than one occasion this season he can be a threat on the counter-attack, while Harrison Reed has three goals and seven assists to his name. The Southampton loanee could however come in to the central midfield thinking, alongside Lewis Travis, with Evans struggling to be fit. 

Villa have attacking quality of their won out wide, but it could come down to a case of how bold Mowbray is feeling and whether he's thinking more of containing Villa, or troubling them at the other end.