Darren Bent insists he is refreshed, recharged and ready to fire Villa to a Premier League victory over Blackburn tomorrow as they return from an unplanned mid-season break.

Because of a fixture pile-up affecting other teams the claret and blues have not played since a 1-1 draw with Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on February 12.

And while Bent appreciates the benefits of a bit of rest and relaxation he is itching to get back on the pitch and deliver the goals against Rovers to help Villa climb the table.

“It’s always good to get the rest in but at the same time you want to play games because that’s what you love doing,” said Bent.

“It’s been a bit of a mixture of both feelings, but Blackburn’s here now and we’re hoping everyone’s refreshed and ready for it.

“I’ve not managed to get away because I’ve just had to sort out a few things. I’ve been sorting out a place to live but that’s done now and I’m settled.

“Also I played for England which takes its toll a little bit. As a player you’re always going to think to yourself that you can play 90 minutes in every single game.

“But you do feel a bit tired after a while. It was a long old week with the travelling and playing 90 minutes and in such a tough game.

“It was difficult but at the same time it’s an experience I wouldn’t change and I feel fresh now for Blackburn and hopefully we’ll get three points.

“After the two back-to-back wins we got and a draw you think ‘oh we must be doing all right’, but all of a sudden people get results around you and you’re straight back where you started.

“But I’ve got so much confidence that we’ll keep winning games, keep getting results and keep moving up the league.”

Bent believes the fact that Villa have already met Blackburn three times this season means there is a danger that the two sides know each other too well which could see the game end in a stalemate.

Villa knocked Blackburn out of the League Cup and the FA Cup but Rovers got the better of the fixture in the Premier League at Ewood Park.

And despite the fact Villa claimed a relatively comfortable 3-1 win over them a month ago — a game the striker missed because he was cup-tied — Bent is not expecting an easy game.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” he said. “Blackburn are doing well this season and having a good run.

“But we’ll fine if we play anything like we’ve done in the last few games. We should have won the last couple of games if I’m being honest.

“If we just show that ambition then I’m sure we can beat them.

“Sometimes when you play teams that often you can surprise each other or you can cancel each other out.

“We’ve got some good players in the team that can create chances and score goals and the three points is a must on Saturday.

“I’ve actually scored against Blackburn already this season. At Sunderland we beat them 3-0 and went 3-0 up in about 20 minutes at the Stadium of Light.

“But it’s going to be a different test. Blackburn are always a difficult side to play against. They’re always strong and always make it hard for you, so it will be a tough game.”

Boss Gerard Houllier has no new injury concerns for the match but must do without influential midfielder Jean Makoun who is suspended for three games after he was sent off at Blackpool.

Houllier also confirmed that defender Luke Young is close to ending his recent injury problems and could figure in the next few weeks.

“He Young is fine. He’ll be involved in the three games that we have I think at some stage,” said Houllier.

“Cross fingers and touch wood, we’ll see today, but this is the first week he’s done a full week. I don’t think I’ll play him because Kyle Walker will be playing.

“And Jean Makoun? We’ll miss him. Maybe it gives an opportunity to someone else. We had two good weeks of training.”