Last week's 5-3 thriller at Goodison Park was Blackpool’s eighth defeat in nine games as the Seasiders' disastrous start to the year continues.
Injuries to goalkeepers Paul Rachubka and Matthew Gilks has left Ian Holloway short of resources, with a patched up Richard Kingson set to start between the sticks despite suffering from knee and head problems.
With Tottenham and Chelsea to visit Bloomfield Road in the coming weeks, Blackpool will hope to recover their early season form after their recent run of results has seen them slip to 15th in the table and just two points above the relegation zone.
Houllier Has Adam On Villa's Radar
Gerard Houllier believes he has the quality in midfield to nullify the threat of Blackpool's Charlie Adam, despite twice attempting to sign the Scot in the January transfer window.
Speaking to The Birmingham Mail, he said: “He was a target for us, but I prefer my midfielders. We’ve recruited some good players.”
Villa are currently sat in 14th place and will hope to complete the double over Blackpool after beating them 3-2 in November, a result which would see them open up a four-point gap on the Seasiders who are one place below them in the table.
TEAM NEWS
Blackpool
Jason Puncheon looks set to make his home debut in Saturday’s fixture against Aston Villa at Bloomfield Road, after the forward scored his first goal for the Seasiders in their 5-3 defeat at Everton last week
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway will recall goalkeeper Richard Kingson following an injury to Paul Rachubka in training. Matthew Gilks is still six weeks from returning to action with a knee problem, leaving Kingson as the only available goalkeeper and Blackpool with a race to dip into the emergency loan market before the fixture.
Charlie Adam returns to the side unscathed from Scotland’s midweek win against Northern Ireland, whilst James Beattie should retain his place in the starting line-up.
Possible starting XI: Kingson; Eardley, Evatt, Baptiste, Carney; Vaughan, Adam, Reid; Puncheon, Beattie, Campbell.
Aston Villa
International trio Stewart Downing, Darren Bent and Ashley Young all returned from midweek injury free, with Bent and Young both on the score sheet as England overcame Denmark 2-1.
Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier could stick with the same side which drew 2-2 at home last Saturday with Fulham, with only long term injury victims Fabian Delph and Luke Young still sidelines, and the suspended Nathan Baker, unavailable for selection.
Kyle Walker will hope to finish off what has been a fine week for the young full-back, which has seen the Tottenham loanee score a stunning strike against Fulham and earn a first call-up to the full England squad.
Possible starting XI: Friedel; Walker, Collins, Dunne, Clark; Downing, Makoun, Petrov, Young; Bent, Agbonlahor.
Prediction
Blackpool’s attacking mentality should lead to an enjoyable game with an Aston Villa side just beginning to find their feet under Gerard Houllier. Villa’s pace up front and Blackpool’s slide in form since the turn of the year could result in the away side having just too much quality for the Seasiders.
Blackpool 1-3 Aston Villa 
