Aston Villa 0-0 Portsmouth

Aston Villa and Portsmouth both missed good chances to win the game in a hard-fought draw at Villa Park.
Jermain Defoe missed a sitter after Armand Traore had hit the post.
Later Villa had numerous chances to get a winner with John Carew heading against the bar late on.
Portsmouth midfielder Sean Davis was unlucky to be sent off with 10 minutes remaining after a second yellow card.

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill:
"In the first half we only got going in fits and starts but the second half belonged to us.

"We were in control of the game and put a lot of pressure on them. It is disappointing not to win but I was delighted with the effort.

"We just could not force the ball over the line."

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp:
"Martin O'Neill has built a very good team here and to restrict them to a very few shots on goal was excellent on our part.

"I thought Sol Campbell was terrific. He was up against a big man in John Carew and did splendidly."

Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Davies, Laursen (Luke Young 88), Milner, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor, Carew.
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Sidwell, Harewood, Knight, Shorey, Gardner.

Booked: Ashley Young.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Armand Traore (Belhadj 78), Little (Utaka 71), Davis, Diop, Pamarot, Defoe (Mvuemba 82), Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Hreidarsson, Thomas, Kanu.

Sent Off: Davis (81).

Booked: Johnson, Davis, Diop.

Att: 37,660

Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).