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League Cup Preview: Portsmouth - Aston Villa
Pompey looking to reach semi finals for first time but face a tough test.
Nov 30, 2009 1:41:18 PM
Tuesday, December 1, Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Fratton Park, Portsmouth
Fratton Park, Portsmouth
For relegation-threatened Portsmouth, this League Cup quarter final represents a welcome opportunity for the club's players and supporters alike to forget about their troubles in the Premier League. And for new manager Avram Grant, it's certainly a more winnable fixture than his first match in charge, against Manchester United on Saturday (which Pompey lost 4-1).
Portsmouth have never reached the last four in the League Cup, and are looking to get past the quarter finals at the fifth time of asking.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, have a fine record in the perceived lesser of England's cup competitions. They have lifted the trophy five times, their last victory coming in 1996 against Leeds United at the old Wembley Stadium.
An away tie should suit Villa, who like to soak up pressure and counter-attack at pace. And with penalty specialist Brad Guzan in goal, if the game goes to penalties, Martin O'Neill's side will fancy their chances of spot-kick success.
FORM GUIDE
Portsmouth
Nov 28: Portsmouth 1-4 Man Utd (Premier League)
Nov 22: Stoke 1-0 Portsmouth (Premier League)
Nov 7: Blackburn 3-1 Portsmouth (Premier League)
Oct 31: Portsmouth 4-0 Wigan (Premier League)
Oct 27: Portsmouth 4-0 Stoke (League Cup)
Aston Villa
Nov 28: Aston Villa 1-1 Tottenham (Premier League)
Nov 21: Burnley 1-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Nov 7: Aston Villa 5-1 Bolton (Premier League)
Nov 4: West Ham 2-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Oct 31: Everton 1-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)
TEAM NEWS
Portsmouth
New boss Avram Grant must make do without Jamie O'Hara, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Mike Williamson and Tommy Smith, who are all cup-tied.
Goalkeeper David James (calf) and full-back Steve Finnan (groin) are again injury doubts.
Aston Villa
Nigel Reo-Coker picked up an ankle injury against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday and is very doubtful for Tuesday's game.
Left-back Stephen Warnock missed the Spurs game because of illness and is also unlikely to start.
Last starting XI in League Cup (v Sunderland): Guzan, Dunne, Cuellar, Warnock, Collins, Young, Milner, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Agbonlahor, Heskey.PLAYERS TO WATCH
Portsmouth - Frederic Piquionne
The French striker scored two goals for Pompey against Stoke in the last round of the League Cup and is in line for another start in this quarter final. He has failed to convince in the Premier League but this is a competition he seems to enjoy, and it would be no surprise to see him get on the score sheet again.
Aston Villa - Emile Heskey
Like Piquionne, Heskey has struggled to make his mark in the Premier League this season. It's been a different story with Fabio Capello's England, though, as the Italian manager seems to rate Heskey very highly. A good showing at Fratton Park could be just the confidence boost the Englishman clearly needs in claret-and-blue.
PREDICTION
Portsmouth 2-2 Aston Villa (Villa to win on penalties)
Ollie Irish, Goal.com
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