Must win game No1 of the season. Ok, with it being away from home and us being awful on the road, maybe it should be looked at as a must draw? We have to get points from games like this; because we aren’t – at the moment – able to pick up points against the giants. Pompey could find this season a very difficult one, they haven’t exactly impressed with signings and now teams are more familiar with them, they no longer have any element of surprise. One thing is for sure, Villa have GOT to improve on their woeful NO shots on target from Saturday.
Vital Quotes:
Liam Ridgewell says: ‘whenever you get a chance to come into the side you have to take it with both hands and see if you can do well. I have got to go out there and perform and give the gaffer a headache.’
Meanwhile, DOL has mystifyingly said ‘I will never keep someone, at any club I am at, who wants to leave the club. That is the bottom line. I signed Nobby Solano and I think for the price we paid I could not believe we did not have any more opposition for him. But I will never keep anyone who wants to leave.’
Perrin says: ‘I have spoken to the players – and although they know they have to show more desire and fight more in every area of the pitch, I do not believe their confidence has suffered from the first two results. It will be another difficult game against Villa, though. Even Manchester United found it tough to break them down, and we will have to keep our concentration.’
Portsmouth Team News:
Lomana LuaLua is expected to be fit despite picking up a knock in the weekends game v the Baggies. Brian Priske is waiting for international clearance and could feature if that comes through in time. (from): Westerveld, Griffin, Stefanovic, O’Brien, Vignal, O’Neil, Hughes, Viafara, Robert, LuaLua, Karadas, Pericard, Taylor, Skopelitis, Todorov, Mbesuma, Ashdown.
Player to watch: Lauren Robert
A sulky git he might be, but on his day, he can beat anyone.
Aston Villa Team News:
Phillips should be back having recovered from a stomach muscle strain. Nobby is a cert to start but Laursen (long term knee), Delaney (out for another 3 weeks), Berger (thigh) and Jlloyd (knee – could be out for up to 6 weeks) will all miss the game through injury whilst Hendrie is serving the second of his three game suspension the numpty. Barry is expected to fill the left back role, which in a lot of fans opinions is his best position. (from): Sorensen, Taylor, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Cahill, Solano, McCann, Whittingham, Berson, Davis, Jumper Jumper, Barry, Angel, Phillips, Moore.
Player to watch: Kevin Phillips
A pocket dynamo!
Match Facts & Stats
Although it really means nothing at the moment:
Villa, 12th
, 1 point. Pompey, 19th, 0 points.
Villa are in search of their first three points in 8 games.
Last season: Portsmouth 1-2 Aston Villa (Yakubu penalty ) De Zeeuw og (cheers), Hitzlebeefburger.
Premiership record: Portsmouth 1 win, Villa 3 wins, 0 Draws.
At Fratton park: Portsmouth 1 win, Villa 1 win, 0 Draws.
Ref Watch:
Graham Poll. Despite the groans, he isn’t a bad ref, although he was very whistle happy in the Chelsea v Arsenal game at the weekend (which by the way was as boring as a game could possibly be!).
Match Prediction:
Mystic Mug was sadly right on Saturday, home win. This time he is puzzled, Villa are awful on the road, but Pompey have made a worse start than Villa and don’t have an out and out goal threat. So, putting his crystal ball in the firing line, he is saying an away win. 2-0
Next Fixtures:
Aug 27 BLACKBURN
Sep 12 (West Ham) (sky)
