DAVID Dunn scored his first goal for Rovers against Aston Villa - and he would love to repeat the feat tomorrow at Villa Park.

The England Under 21 international is hoping to make his first appearance since he suffered medial knee ligament damage on the opening day of the season at Derby County.

He is in the squad for tomorrow's trip to Villa - and has good memories of the last time he made the trip to Villa Park in February 1999.

"I remember it well, we won 3-1 and it was my first goal for Rovers. Hopefully I can get on the scoresheet again," said the 21-year-old, who found the back of the net 18 times last season.

Dunn is, though, fighting for a midfield berth alongside Tugay and Garry Flitcroft.

"Tugay is a great player and it would be interesting to play alongside him as I could go as far as forward as I wanted and know he could still find me with the ball," said Dunn.

"Both Flitty and Tugay have done well and it is up to me to try and get myself fit and keep trying to impress the manager."

Although Dunn is back, the treatment room at Brockhall is still pretty full.

Damien Duff will miss the game with a hamstring injury and Alan Mahon looks likely to step in.

Northern Ireland winger Keith Gillespie should be back in contention for the Worthington Cup clash against Middlesbrough on October 10, Craig Short is eyeing the West Ham game in two weeks but John Curtis will be longer.

And Rovers striker Marcus Bent is suspended following his dismissal in the Worthington Cup against Oldham.

"It is good to have Dunny back as we are a few bodies short," admitted assistant boss Tony Parkes.

The plan of attack at fifth placed Villa is for Rovers to be quick off the mark - and find their way past Villa keeper Peter Schmeichel.

"In the last two games we have started slowly," said Parkes. "We need a quicker start.

"And we are certainly looking for more goals which is easier said than done.

"I am sure every manager says that they have the same complaint and that is why top strikers are costing £20m.

"People will always miss chances and one of our failings is that we are not scoring enough goals.

"But that is not to be too critical as we are creating plenty of chances.

" Villa don't concede many goals and haven't done for quite a few seasons. But we will just look after Blackburn."

Rovers will be on the hunt for their first away win of the season but will find it difficult against a Villa backline that have only conceded three league goals and are unbeaten in the league so far.

They were however knocked for six by their UEFA Cup loss to Croatian side NK Varteks on Thursday.

"That won't matter," said Parkes. "In the past teams who are playing their third game in a week can be as fresh as daisies. Nobody will do anybody else any favours."

The Premiership table is still unsettled at the moment. Villa's European adventure has meant they have played just five league matches while Rovers have chalked up seven and they lie in ninth spot.

"It is unbelievable situation," said Parkes. "If you look at the Italian or Dutch Leagues, where their teams are playing in Europe as well, they have all played the same number of games. It amazes me that we haven't.

"But I don't think it has settled down yet.

"At the moment when you win one game you can move up seven or eight places but I don't think that will happen when it starts evening itself out."

Jason McAteer will make the trip to Villa Park with Blackburn despite the constant speculation linking him with a move elsewhere - the latest club is Sunderland.

Black Cats boss Peter Reid has confirmed an interest the Republic of Ireland star and Reid hopes to add to his squad during next week's international break.

"His future lies at the moment at Blackburn Rovers, he is a Rovers player and is in the squad," said Parkes.

And there has been no movement with the left sided defender who Blackburn have been chasing.

"Nothing concrete has happened with a left sided defender, and we are keeping shtum.

"It is not fair to band names around as it gives other clubs a chance to step in but at this moment nothing concrete has happened," added Parkes.

ROVERS SQUAD (from): Friedel, Filan, Neil, Berg, Greer, Bjornebye, Johnsen, Dunn, Flitcroft, Tugay, Hignett, Jansen, Hughes, Grabbi, Ostenstad, Mahon, McAteer.

VILLA SQUAD (from): Schmeichel, Delaney, Alpay, Mellberg, Wright, Hadji, Boateng, Hendrie, Kachloul, Angel, Dublin, Balaban, Ginola, Barry, Stone, Staunton, Enckelman.

ROVERS will go through all channels to appeal against the misconduct charge for the fracas against Oldham in the Worthington Cup.

Both sides have been charged following the incident which saw Marcus Bent dismissed for Rovers along with Oldham pair Darren Sheridan and Mark Allott earlier this month. Both clubs could be heavily fined.

"We are disappointed with the charge and we will use all available procedures to appeal," said Rovers Chief Executive John Williams.

But they won't be appealing against the three match ban for Bent which starts tomorrow.

"Marcus was suspended for his little bit in the melee," said assistant manager Tony Parkes.

"What we have got to do is learn from it and make sure it never happens again."