Struggling Portsmouth look to end Villa’s run of away wins

Portsmouth/Aston Villa, 8pm, Sky Sports 2, Free Bets, Best Odds

Photo Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

Last season just three points separated these two sides but with sixteen to play, Portsmouth are already twenty short of Aston Villa this year. Both sides failed to impress against Championship opposition in the FA Cup but Martin O’Neill’s side are unbeaten in ten league games, although this is the first time this season they have been without their “genius” Ashley Young:

VILLA’S AWAY RECORD
Aston Villa have won five consecutive away games, something they had last achieved in May 1998. If they win tonight it will be the first time in Premier League history that they have won six in succession. Villa are one of only two clubs, the other being Bolton, who are yet to experience an away draw, which is odd considering they, alongside Liverpool, have drawn more home games than anyone else (five). Overall, Villa have won eight and lost three of their eleven on the road and they are 2.34 on Betfair to triumph again.

PORTSMOUTH’S WINLESS RUN
Pompey have gone six Premier League games without a win, although the last time they went longer than that without picking up three points was at the start of 2006 when Harry Redknapp led them through an eight game winless streak. The South Coast side have won just two of thirteen league games under Tony Adams.

VILLA AT FRATTON PARK
Aston Villa have won on just one of their last eight visits to Fratton Park, taking just two points from their last three. Five of those encounters have finished level, which is 12/5 with Paddy Power, 888sport and Boylesports, although Villa’s lack of away draws may render that outcome unlikely.

WORRYING HESKEY TREND
Emile Heskey has never scored a goal on any of his five debuts for club or country (Leicester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Wigan and England) but more worryingly none of his first appearances at his last three clubs ended in victory. Wigan lost 2-1 to Newcastle in his debut there while Liverpool and Birmingham were both held 1-1, the latter of which came away to Portsmouth. 888sport and Boylesports offer 6/1 on the 1-1 draw.

AND THERE’S A WORRYING YOUNG ONE TOO
Since the start of the 2007-08 season, Ashley Young has only missed one game, a 2-1 defeat away to Fulham last February. Prior to that Villa had been unbeaten for nine league games while Fulham had been unbeaten in twelve. Portsmouth are 9/4 with Bet365 to win, and 11/1 with 888sport to triumph 2-1.

Posted: January 27th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn |