Aston Villa 6 Portsmouth 1
VILLA’S youngsters turned it on again with six cracking goals, more great football and an overall performance that gives great promise for the future.
It wasn’t as though Portsmouth were a poor side. They added to the Villa Park drama, starting both halves well. Indeed, they deserved more than one goal.
But there was no denying Villa’s superiority in this Barclays Premiership Reserve League South, with their man-of-the-match on this occasion being Jonathan Hogg, who notched two excellent goals and gave a tireless display in midfield.
Both sides had early chances, Villa’s Eric Lichaj being well off beam with a first minute header when it looked easier to score from Barry Bannan’s free-kick and Andreas Weimann’s cross-shot forcing Pompey goalkeeper Liam O’Brien to tip over.
Villa found it hard going at times, but Marc Albrighton and Bannan began to pose serious threats to the Pompey defence and the home side went in front after 26 minutes.
Albrighton crossed from the right, Weimann headed back and Shane Lowry, a magnificent defender throughout, scored with a deflected shot.
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