Villains rob it at the death

Pompey were denied another point late on in the game, this time Delfouneso scored his first premiership goal with 8 minutes left as the game seemed to have petered out.

Boateng and Kanu returned to the line up, while Ritchie and Ward dropped to the bench after encouraging debuts at Wigan, in came Lenny Hill however, he made history at the age of 17 by becoming the first player to start a Premiership match that was born after its creation.

Pompey were straight on the attack for once, the 4th minute also saw a mad scramble, Friedel eventually denying Boateng from close range.
Pompey's early endeavour was to pay off however, Vanden Borre skinned Warnock down the right and cut it back for Brown to slot perfectly home past Friedel who was stuck to the spot, Brown was delighted, it was his first goal for over 5 years!

Carew had to a chance to level on 15 minutes but hit his shot against James when he should really of scored, a minute later however he was in. A ball over the top got Pompey's offside trap in a hell of a miss, Wilson was the only man to beat and he did it easily, he cut in on his right boot far too easily and smashed past James, poor defending all round.

Utaka had a couple of sniffs of a goal, first showing quick feet but no finish and then almost getting on the end of a lofted ball, Friedel got there first though.
Boateng had a curled free-kick saved and then it was Villa's turn, Agbonlahor felt he was the victim in a wrestle with Vanden Borre, but Probert gave Pompey the free-kick. Not to be outdone however was Diop, he showed how to give away a penalty in style, he first gained possesion in the area, and then in true Diop style he lost control of it and lunged in on Carew, stone waller.
David James was enjoying his afternoon however, and Carew opted for power rather than placement and James blocked his blast down the middle.
The second half was not quite so ebb and flow as the first, but Sowah was earning his corn, none more so than when dispossesing Young as the England hopeful tried to skip past him.
Villa had a couple of pot-shots from distance, but James was equal as the Midland side gained the upper hand.
After the hour Kanu who had been ineffective this half was replaced by Zorro, at least I think it was him.
It was Zorro himself who had Pompey's next real chance, a long throw from Brown was flicked on and he rose to flash a headed chance over, eat your heart out Delap.

Delfouneso switched with Agbonlahor and then scored with his first touch, Heskey nodding on a free kick and out came a leg to poke home, Pompey were found wanting defensively once more.

Ritchie and Ward came on, and it was the defender who came closest to an equaliser, first he headed a deep centre back into the mix, but Friedel claimed the chance, then another scramble saw him toe-poke toward goal only for it to hit Friedel and bounce back up into his arms.

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