Portsmouth Football Club News

Last season Pompey got the upper hand over Aston Villa. The Blues did the double over Martin O’Neill’s men. Sulley Muntari’s spectacular brace helped secured a 3-1 win at Villa Park, while Jermain Defoe was on target in a 2-0 triumph on the south coast. Villa finished two places and three points better off than Pompey at the end of the season, although the Blues did lift the FA Cup at Wembley. Both sides have started this season well, with just a point separating them in the Premier League table. And both sides are also through to the group stages of the UEFA Cup with Pompey defeating Vitoria SC and Villa beating Litex Lovech in their first round ties. So when they meet at Villa Park this Saturday in their first clash of the season, it promises to be a tight affair. “It’s going to be tough,” said Blues winger Glen Little. “They’re in a similar position to us and probably have the same goals that they want to achieve. “They’ve spent a bit of money over the summer and brought in some good players. They’ve got a good mix of youth and experience in their side. “But we’ve also made some great signings that have improved our squad. “We both did well to qualify for the UEFA Cup so it’s definitely going to be interesting to see how the two sides compare on Saturday.” Little finally made his Pompey debut at the end of September, starring in a 2-0 victory against Tottenham at Fratton Park. Prior to that, his Blues career had been blighted by a series of niggling injuries. But now Little has returned to full fitness – and he wants it to stay that way. The former Reading and Burnley winger said: “It’s good to be back playing games and now I’d like to get a good run in the side. “As long as I stay fit and I’m on the training pitch then it gives me the best possible chance. “We’ve had a break for the internationals and now we want to push on and keep climbing the table. “We want to continue winning and keep the momentum going.”

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