Aston Villa v Blackburn preview

Aston Villa v Blackburn preview

Published Aug. 19, 2011 9:16 a.m. ET

Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given has shaken off a groin injury sustained in the season-opener at Fulham last weekend and will be fit to make his home debut against Blackburn. Villa will also had a home bow to winger Charles N'Zogbia after his £9.5m switch from Wigan. Manager Alex McLeish is poised to retain the side that started the goalless draw at Fulham with Darren Bent, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey in a three-pronged attack. Blackburn boss Steve Kean is optimistic key centre-back pairing Ryan Nelsen and Christopher Samba will be available. Kean was forced to play teenager Grant Hanley and midfielder Steven Nzonzi together during last week's defeat by Wolves but Nelsen (knee) and Samba (groin) have both trained this week and should start. Gael Givet (illness) and Brett Emerton (hamstring) are likely to miss out but new midfield signing Radosav Petrovic is in line to make his debut. Aston Villa (from): Given, Guzan, Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Petrov, Delph, N'Zogbia, Albrighton, Bent, Agbonlahor, Heskey, Beye, Makoun, Ireland, Bannan, Beye, Clark. Blackburn (from): Robinson, Bunn, Salgado, Hanley, Samba, Nelsen, Olsson, Bruno, Pedersen, Nzonzi, Dunn, Grella, Formica, Rochina, Hoilett, Roberts, Goodwillie, Blackman, Aley, Anderson, Henley, Petrovic, Lowe, Morris.

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