BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today called on his players to make some urgent 'home improvements' ahead of tonight's vital Premiership clash with Aston Villa at Ewood Park.
Rovers have only won once at Ewood in the Premiership since the 7-1 demolition of West Ham back in October.
But they now face crucial back-to-back home games against Villa and Ipswich in the space of nine days.
And Souness believes they must make maximum use of home advantage if they plan to survive in the top-flight.
"We have two home games now which are absolutely vital to us if we want to survive because you have to win your home games in our position," said Souness.
"Obviously, drawing the game is better than getting beat but we've got to be looking to get the three points because we are running out of games now.
"So I want my players to show the same determination tonight as they did on Saturday in the second half.
"They've got to show the same positive thinking, the same determination and the same application necessary to win a home game.
"We've got two home games coming up and I hope we do the business both for both our fans and ourselves.
"We need to get the wins which will help us to keep us in this league.
"And this is a chance for our supporters to play a part, too, because I'm sure they're all well aware of the importance of this game."
With Rovers currently four points adrift of the clubs immediately above them, a victory tonight is absolutely imperative if they plan to start closing the gap.
But Souness has every in confidence in his players, insisting they have the 'bottle' necessary to survive.
"We have some big game players who have shown they can deal with the big atmospheres and the big occasions in the past," said Souness.
"And, from now until the end of the season every one of our remaining games is going to be a big one.
"So every one of them is vital and every time we step out on the park we've got to try and pick up three points.
"But I'm not worried about that. We are not going to bottle it.
"If we're going to lose games then it's because we'll have had a go at someone and they've done something brilliant against us, or because someone made a mistake, or we got a bad refereeing decision.
"It won't be because we haven't gone out there and had a real go. I know that for a fact and I could put my house on that."
Souness has stressed Andy Cole will keep his place up front tonight despite his sending off at the weekend.
And he also looks set to bring back Tugay following a two game absence at the expense of Mark Hughes in midfield.
Rovers will choose from: Friedel, Miller, Neill, Berg, Unsal, Johansson, Dunn, Flitcroft, Jansen, Duff, Cole, Bjornebye, Gillespie, Taylor, Tugay, Hughes, Yordi, Hignett, Mahon, Curtis.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa boss Graham Taylor has pinpointed exactly where his team have to concentrate their efforts against Rovers tonight - Andy Cole and Matt Jansen.
Taylor, boosted by the first win of his second spell in charge of Villa against West Ham last weekend, is wary of the threat the two strikers pose for the Worthington Cup winners.
"Blackburn can score goals through Cole and Jansen," said Taylor.
"At the end of my reign as England manager I brought Cole into the national squad.
"He had worked his way from the England Under-21 side and whatever people say about him he has improved with his touch.
"At the end of the day you have to look at the number of goals he has scored.
"Every Premiership club has some talented players and Blackburn are no exception. We saw that in their performance in winning the Worthington Cup."
Rovers will be playing at home for the first time since their cup triumph at the Millennium Stadium and Taylor feels that is a factor his players will have to be prepared for on the night.
He added: "There is going to be a good atmosphere and a good reception for them. We have got to be ready for that from the start of the match.
"I don't underestimate Blackburn and the players will not either.
"This a big game for us because if we can pick up another three points then who knows about what will happen with the gap between us and the top six.
"We have still got Leeds, Newcastle, Arsenal and Chelsea to play and they are all big games," added Taylor, who is hoping his side can spark a late rally to secure qualification for next season's UEFA Cup.
He looks set to name the same side which beat the Hammers at the weekend.
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