Should the Claret and Blue lose against Rovers they would present Arsenal with a great chance to narrow the gap from to two points when they take on Tottenham on Sunday.
But, Friedel, who made 287 league appearances for Blackburn, will be hoping to help maintain Villa's impressive 10 match unbeaten run when they head up north on Saturday.
The American stopper, 37, has played in all 24 league games this season helping Villa to 11 clean sheets and he will be aiming to show fans at Ewood Park what they are missing.
Blackburn number one Paul Robinson was a target for Villa when David O'Leary was in charge and he too will be looking to put on a show.
Friedel is undoubtedly a top class keeper and he will have to prove his class against a side that are unbeaten in 9 games under Allardyce.
The former Bolton and Newcastle boss has got his men playing in a direct fashion, which plays to the strengths of strikers Roque Santa Cruz, Jason Roberts and Benni McCarthy.
Allardyce certainly knows how to get the best out of players, meaning opposition fans and players alike always know to expect a physical battle from start to finish.
Pursuit
But, Villa are a side who can mix it with the best of them, with Gareth Barry and Emile Heskey no strangers to man to man confrontation.
Heskey is likely to start in place of John Carew as Martin O'Neill again shuffles his pack after the 3-1 win against Doncaster in midweek.
Ashley Young will make his first league appearance since being sent off at Sunderland on January 17.
Villa take a strong side up to Ewood and they will most definitely be aiming to claim maximum points in their pursuit of fourth spot.
With the spine of the team so vital, Friedel will be asked to provide essential support between the sticks that will help defeat his former employers.
Villa did manage a great 4-0 win at Blackburn last season but a repeat of that looks particularly unlikely.
Whatever the weather and whatever Rovers throw at their top four chasing opponents, Friedel will undoubtedly be up for it.