Aston Villa 1 Portsmouth 3

Last updated : 08 December 2007 By Footymad Previewer
Harry Redknapp's proud Portsmouth continued their impressive run of success with another resounding away win.

It was a particular landmark for Pompey as it was the first time they have won at Villa Park in the top division since Boxing Day 1955.

There were no doubts about their sixth successive away win as it was fully deserved on a rain-swept pitch.

Playing a lot of cultured football, they were perhaps a little fortunate to go ahead in the tenth minute through an own goal from Craig Gardner, but they went on to complete a conclusive win carved out by two further goals by Sulley Muntari.

This was a big set-back for a Villa team which has been on a high of late, but they have now suffered two successive home defeats in the space of a week.

Ghanaian Muntari, who had previously only scored two goals this season, emerged as Portsmouth's match winner with his explosive shooting that gave Scott Carson little chance of saving on either occasion.

Ironically, it was a powerful shot from Niko Kranjcar which sparked Villa's downfall.

Carson must have been watching out for a Wembley repeat from the Croatian international, but on this occasion the shot was deflected for a corner which Kranjcar slipped to Pedro Mendes.

The cross was hit first-time by Noe Pararot only for Wilfred Bouma to slice his clearance into the path of Gardner who put the ball into his own net.

Martin Laursen had a couple of chances with headers but Pompey survived and effectively put Villa on the back foot when Muntari unleashed a swerving left-footed shot five minutes before the break.

Muntari's explosive shooting was demonstrated when he scored Portsmouth's third goal.

He robbed Nigel Reo-Coker and fired in a 30-yard rocket past the helpless Carson in the 61st minute.

A Gareth Barry penalty in the 72nd minute for a foul by Sylvain Distin on Gabby Agbonlahor provided an exciting finish to a keenly contested encounter which should have been concluded with Papa Bouba Diop scoring only for the unmarked Portsmouth player to shoot wide from close range.

Villa staged an exciting finish when Patrick Berger and Olof Mellberg both went close with swirling shots, but Agbonlahor could count himself unlucky when his header hit the crossbar.

But Portsmouth were still firing on all cylinders and Carson distinguished himself with a fine save from yet another long-range effort from Diop.