Three Cheers for the Three Yanks

Americans were all winners tonight in the English Premier League.

Brad Friedel was in the unusual position of facing Blackburn for the first time in nine years as Aston Villa edged Rovers 3-2 in Birmingham to rise to fourth in the standings. Villa leapfrogged Hull, whose dreams were dashed with a 0-3 home reverse to Chelsea. Martin O'Neill's men next visit Newcastle on Monday.

Tim Howard went the distance as Everton won 1-0 at Bolton to go 12th. Marouane Fellaini's last-gasp header bagged three points for the Toffees, who welcome Fulham to Goodison Park on Saturday.

Clint Dempsey was the third American on EPL duty tonight, playing the last 18 minutes of Fulham's 2-0 home win over Wigan. Ex-England striker Andy Johnson broke his duck with both goals for the Cottagers, who sit 14th in the table.

- Sean O'Conor