Blackpool vs Aston Villa preview - Seasiders face keeper shortage

Posted Saturday, February 12, 2011 by PA

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway could have only one senior goalkeeper available for the Barclays Premier League clash with Aston Villa at Bloomfield Road.

Paul Rachubka looks set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after damaging his knee in a suspected recurrence of the injury that kept him out for the first half of the season.

Matt Gilks, who has not played since November due to a knee problem of his own, is still several weeks away from a return to action so Richard Kingson is in line to start against Villa, while Holloway hopes to be granted permission by the Premier League to sign another goalkeeper.

Stephen Crainey (ankle) is still out while January arrivals Sergei Kornilenko and Salaheddine Sbai are not yet ready to make their debuts.

Villa manager Gerard Houllier has drawn a line under his public spat with Holloway ahead of the clash.

Houllier and Holloway were involved in several verbal exchanges after Villa tried to buy Blackpool skipper Charlie Adam during the January transfer window and had two bids rejected.

Holloway claimed he was unhappy Villa had made their interest in Adam public while Houllier insisted the West Midlands club did everything through the right channels. But Houllier is now more concerned at trying to win against the Seasiders, who he predicts will avoid relegation this season.

Houllier, when asked about his row with Holloway, said: "I don't want to be drawn into any kind of comment about that.

"Blackpool are the most attacking and offensive team I've seen and the manager is doing a good job there. He probably assessed his best chances of staying up and thought having a go with no regrets was best, which is good.

"That's why they found themselves in a high position at one stage and I'd be surprised if they go down. They knew right from the start that they were always in a position to be threatened with going down so they will adapt to that."

Striker Gabriel Agbonlahor will be available for Villa despite withdrawing from the England squad for family reasons.

On-loan midfielder Michael Bradley is also in contention after obtaining a visa while Jean Makoun has shaken off a calf injury.