Wenger's outburst against Mark Hughes' men came after his side's 1-1 draw at Ewood Park last weekend.

But Moyes, who has also managed to ruffle Wenger's feathers with Everton's physical approach over the years, cannot see anything wrong with the way Rovers play.

The two clubs meet at Goodison Park tomorrow in a match that will also pay tribute to 11 year-old Everton fan Rhys Jones, from nearby Croxteth, the victim of a senseless murderer this week.

There will be a minute's silence before kick-off and the players will wear black armbands.

Moyes and his skipper Phil Neville took time off from preparing for the game today to launch an appeal for any witnesses to the shooting to contact the police.

The Toffees boss then turned his attention to tomorrow's game.

Asked about Wenger's gripe against Rovers, he said: "I saw how well Blackburn played against Arsenal last Sunday, and I know this will be a tough game.

"We need to respond after losing at Reading, there were no excuses there, we didn't play as well as we should have done.

"I'm not sure we deserved to lose that game, but we did not deserve any more than a point and we can do much better than that.

"I have never found any problem with the way Blackburn or Mark Hughes' teams play. In fact, I believe Blackburn play some very good football.

"They have been landed with the wrong sort of title. I see Blackburn a good deal, I live pretty near them so I know about them.

"They are being given the wrong image. There is nothing in the rules that says you cannot be tough and committed.

"It is very much part of the game, especially in this country. Supporters like to see a good old-fashioned tackle as they like to see a good pass.

"It is very much part of the way we do it here. I want that aggression and passion from my players. I would not want it any other way.

"I do not see Blackburn as being any more committed or tough than any other team we play this season."

Everton must face Rovers without their potential record signing Ayegbeni Yakubu, because they cannot yet acquire a work permit that will allow a deal to be concluded.

Although Yakubu has played in England for five years and Middlesbrough already have a work permit for him, Everton must re-apply.

And the problem is that Yakubu, having fallen out with Nigeria's coach and having not been involved at international level, has not played the required percentage of games for his country to get a new permit.

He has played just five of the last 13 Nigeria matches, and Everton's initial application will be rejected because of that low figure. They will have to appeal and a hearing cannot be organised before the beginning of next week.

But Everton do not expect to have any trouble winning the appeal to complete the £11.6million deal.

That does not help Moyes against Blackburn, who has doubts over Joseph Yobo, Andrew Johnson, Leon Osman and Victor Anichebe.

However, Leighton Baines - Everton's £6million signing from Wigan - is fit and expects to make his debut.

Baines has been struggling with a hamstring problem and was only named as substitute at Reading.

South Africa midfielder Steven Pienaar is set to make his full debut while Everton have hopes that Manuel Fernandes transfer can also be concluded soon, with the Premier League looking at all the paperwork for a £6million deal that has third-party ownership problems.