The kickoff after the kickoff- Villa v. Blackburn, 20 August, 2011, 10 a.m. EDT

Brick.  Wall. (credit: football365.com)

Well, nil-nil means the other team didn't score.  New 'keeper Shay Given put on a masterclass, almost Jedi-ing Fulham to shoot the ball at him.  After a dominant first half, Villa looked a little leggy in seeing out the second half and posting their first away clean sheet since April of 2010. 

Unfortunately, the match also saw the Great Wall of Ireland suffer a slight groin strain, leading to James Collins taking goal kicks for the last half hour of the match.  The EPL website lists him as a doubt for Saturday's match, against Blackburn.  Villa's last meeting was in Hong Kong during the preseason, a match which Villa won 1-0 through Darren Bent's smooth strike off of Stephen Warnock's knockdown of a cross from wee Barry Bannan.  Rovers opened their campaign in earnest with a 2-1 loss to Wolves at Ewood Park. 

Other than Given, Villa will likely be without Spanish Colossus Carlos Cuellar, still recovering from offseason knee surgery. 

Capital Villans will be taking the match in at the Queen Vic, on 12th and H NE.  Come join us starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday!