If Vila had sacrificed himself for Avon, I imagine his outer reaction would be simply to tell the others that he was lost on the mission and possibly in a joking way let them know he died bravely. "Rather unexpected, really." I could then see this as a launching point for Blake, as Avon has just lost possibly his only friend. And it's his fault (for not solving the problem faster). Blake is the one person who can take the burden of leadership off him. Blake is the only person who might understand what he's dealing with. That said, Avon's deeper reactions might prevent "Blake" from being such a tragedy. Someone was willing to die for him. Avon has learned how not to trust, but an unexpected and very personal sacrifice was made to save him. It might have been enough to make him give Blake a greater benefit of doubt. OTOH, it might just make him more inclined to trust Tarrant. Anyhow, given enough time, rather than 'sending him over the edge', Vila's sacrifice might knock a tiny bit off his wall of cynicism. I also suspect he'd want to hunt down and kill everyone behind the trap.