Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce admits he will get more
satisfaction steering Rovers to a cup final than he ever did with
Bolton.
The Rovers boss hopes to take another step towards the
national stadium on Tuesday night when his side face Aston Villa in
the Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Ewood Park.
Six years ago Allardyce suffered the disappointment of seeing
Bolton lose to Middlesbrough in the final at the Millennium
Stadium. They secured their place in Cardiff after beating Villa in
the last four, thanks to a thumping 5-2 victory in the first leg.
It all ended in tears, however, and Allardyce is eager to enjoy
that winning feeling.
He said: "It would be an even greater achievement getting
Blackburn to Wembley, compared to Bolton.
"I have only been here for a year and we are on the verge of
going to one of the major finals.
"When Bolton got to the final I had been there for a few
years. The side was established and playing very well.
"I would love to go to Wembley and walk my team out. It would
be a terrific experience for everyone and one to remember for the
rest of our lives."
Allardyce hopes his team perform like they did early in the
season when they defeated Villa at home, rather than at the weekend
when they lost to Martin O'Neill's side in the FA Cup. He also
wants them to replicate their display in the quarter-finals when
Chelsea were banished from the competition.
Allardyce was banned from watching that game after a minor
heart operation and had to settle for highlights on a DVD. He said:
"We must not waste beating Chelsea. What a magnificent night that
must have been.
"I know the lads still have that feeling inside of them. That
feeling will be even greater if we can get through against Villa.
"After we beat them they have gone from strength to strength
and are a massive hurdle to my side.
"We have to try and get an advantage from the first leg.
However I somehow cannot see us winning 5-2 like Bolton did."
Midfielder Brett Emerton returns to the squad after
recovering from a groin injury. However El-Hadji Diouf is sidelined
through suspension after being sent off at the weekend while Vince
Grella is absent with a thigh problem.
