It’s the UEFA Cup version of Champions League week six

Aston Villa and Portsmouth play without having much to gain

Aston Villa already know without doubt that they have qualified for the next stage of the UEFA Cup while Portsmouth know without doubt that they can’t qualify, meaning that they both go into their final group games with little to play for against, you’ve guessed it, teams with little to play for. Here’s our preview of tonight’s run out for the reserves:

Hamburg v Aston Villa
Both of Aston Villa and Martin Jol’s side are guaranteed a place in the next round so are just fighting it out to win the group tonight, unless Ajax beat Slavia Prague by a bigger margin than the winner of this match. At Tottenham, Jol enjoyed a six game unbeaten streak against Aston Villa, including a comeback from 4-1 down to draw 4-4 at home last season while since he has left Spurs have lost both matches against Martin O’Neill’s side, whose reserves lost at home to Zilina a fortnight ago. Hamburg have lost just once at home this season but haven’t won a home game in the UEFA Cup yet under Jol’s guidance.

Portsmouth v Heerenveen

Posted: December 17th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment