5:00PM BST 13 Aug 2011
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Well, at least Aston Villa have no worries about replacing Brad Friedel.
New goalkeeper Shay Given was the decisive figure on an afternoon which initially promised much for the away side but ultimately left Fulham frustrated.
Friedel's early summer departure from Villa Park attracted less attention than later exits and Alex McLeish's controversial arrival - and Given will keep it that way if he maintains the form which kept his side in the match in the second half after an even first period.
Fulham will regard this as two points dropped at fortress Craven Cottage.
The home side's recent successful seasons have been built on bringing the best from players who seemed to be on their way down and debutant John Arne Riise ought to have enjoyed a goalscoring start to his second coming in the Premier League.
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Source: Telegraph
Source: Telegraph