ASTON VILLA vs PORTSMOUTH - MATCH PREVIEW

By Ryan Ghee
August 23 2005

Aston Villa travel to south-coast club Portsmouth this evening hoping to collect their first win of the new season.

Aston Villa team news: Aston Villa's attacking midfielder Patrik Berger is yet to make his debut for the club and he is still not fit enough to face his former club tonight. Jlloyd Samuel is out for six weeks with a knee injury which he sustained at Old Trafford and fellow defenders Mark Delaney and Martin Laursen both miss out through injury. Kevin Phillips has recovered from his stomach strain and will partner Angel upfront and Nobby Solano is expected to start on the right after being axed for the Manchester United game.

Portsmouth team news: Pompey striker Lomana Tresor Lua-Lua is expectd to start despite missing a full weeks training through injury and new signing Brian Priske could make his debut. Boss Allain Perin is also expected to stick with Westerveld in goal despite the Dutch goalkeeper conceding soft goals in the first two games of the season.

History of this fixture: Aston Villa and Portsmouth have met each other a total of 74 times and the Villans have been victorious on 34 occasions. Pompey have won 22 of the games and 18 have ended in a draw. Last season Aston Villa did the double over their hosts with a 2-1 win at Fratton Park and a 3-0 victory at Villa Park.

Match betting: Portsmouth win - 11/8
Aston Villa win - 8/5
Draw - 11/5
(According to Ladbrokes.com)