BLACKBURN Rovers will kick off the new season at Middlesbrough on Saturday August 11 after the fixtures for the 2007/2008 campaign were unveiled this morning.

Mark Hughes' side then face Aston Villa in their first home game at Ewood Park on Wednesday August 15, although that fixture could yet be changed if Rovers qualify for the UEFA Cup.

Arsenal are then scheduled to visit Ewood on Saturday August 18, before Rovers travel to Goodison to face Everton a week later.

Rovers are away to Manchester City on Boxing Day, and Roy Keane's newly-promoted Sunderland are due at Ewood on New Year's Day.

Hughes' side will finish the season with a trip to Birmingham on May 11.