Martin O'Neill is relishing the prospect of a cup double header with Blackburn in January when the two clubs will meet three times in little more than a fortnight. Villa will host Blackburn in the FA Cup third round on January 2 and the two sides will then do battle in the two-legged Carling Cup semi-finals.

"We're delighted to be in the semi-finals and we have a number of big cup games coming up in January against Blackburn Rovers," he said.

"With us also facing one another in the FA Cup, there will be a lot of to-ing and fro-ing between Villa Park and Ewood Park in a short space of time.

"We will look forward to this when the time comes.

"But it is a fillip for everyone at the club to have a semi-final to look forward at the start of 2010. It will be terrific."