Villa remain hopeful in Euro charge
PORTSMOUTH (1) vs ASTON VILLA (2)
ASTON VILLA boss Martin O’Neill insisted his side won’t give up in the race for fourth place after snatching victory at relegated Portsmouth.
Nathan Delfouneso came off the substitute’s bench to score his first league goal for O’Neill’s men after John Carew had earlier cancelled out Michael Brown’s opener for the hosts.
Victory takes Villa to within six points of fourth-placed Tottenham with four games to play and O’Neill admits there can be no let-ups if his side are to gatecrash the top four.
“To give ourselves any chance we have to win all our games,” O’Neill said.
“Today would have been disappointing not to have taken all three points. I’m delighted we’ve done that and we go to Hull on Wednesday and we’re still full of hope.”
Brown coolly slotted the ball past Brad Friedel to give Pompey a 10th minute lead but Carew popped up six minutes later to level.
Carew then had a penalty saved by David James but Villa weren’t to be denied – Delfouneso firing home with eight minutes left.