Portsmouth v Villa preview

European hopefuls clash at Fratton Park

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 14th March 2008

Portsmouth v Birmingham Jermain Defoe

Defoe: Midweek brace

PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: Portsmouth 2 Villa 2
SKY BET odds: Portsmouth 11/8, Draw 11/5 Villa 13/8
One to Watch: Jermain Defoe
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Portsmouth and Aston Villa face an uphill struggle if they are to qualify for Europe via the Premier League.

Following Tottenham's Carling Cup triumph and the exit of all Premier League clubs bar Pompey from the FA Cup, a fifth-placed finish will be needed to guarantee a Uefa Cup spot.

But Villa already trail Everton, who are locked in a battle with Liverpool for fourth, by seven points with Portsmouth a further two adrift.

Martin O'Neill admitted before Wednesday's 1-1 home draw with Middlesbrough that the match was a 'must-win' fixture, but Villa were well below their best and needed a controversial late penalty to salvage a point.

Harry Redknapp enjoyed a much more productive midweek, with Pompey withstanding a determined Birmingham fightback to claim a 4-2 victory at Fratton Park.

Portsmouth can, of course, claim a place in Europe if they lift the FA Cup. But in a season of shocks Redknapp knows only too well that nothing can be taken for granted.

Team news

Captain Sol Campbell faces a late fitness test on a knee and will not be risked unless fully fit.

With Noe Pamarot still out injured, Hermann Hreidarsson may have to switch from left back. On-loan defender Lucien Aubey is in the squad.

Jermain Defoe, who is ineligible for Portsmouth's FA Cup bid after appearing for Tottenham in an earlier round, scored an early brace against Birmingham to continue his fine form on the south coast.

Defoe is again expected to partner Milan Baros up front against Villa with Kanu providing back-up from the bench.

Villa duo Olof Mellberg and Marlon Harewood will be hoping to secure places in the starting XI at Fratton Park.

Defender Mellberg and striker Harewood were brought on at half-time against Middlesbrough, with Craig Gardner and Shaun Maloney the men to make way.

Stiliyan Petrov will be hoping to regain his place in the side having been left out of the recent games against Boro, Arsenal and Reading.