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Match Report
Aston Villa v Portsmouth 06 January 2004
LATE VASSELL GOAL SINKS POMPEY
Aston Villa 2-1 Portsmouth
Aston Villa climbed to sixth in the Premiership following a late 2-1 victory over a plucky Portsmouth at Villa Park thanks to a fortunate Darius Vassell goal.
The home side began the brighter of the two and could have taken an early lead, however Lee Hendrie headed over from close range from Vassell's left wing cross.
Moments after Peter Whittingham tested Pavel Srnicek with a long range drive, Juan Pablo Angel scored his ninth Premiership goal of the campaign from a superb Gareth Barry cross.
The midfielder drove in a centre which Angel climbed superbly at the back post to meet while fending off the challenge from Arjan De Zeeuw to guide the ball past the former Newcastle keeper.
Villa continued to create the better of the opportunities, and after Hendrie poorly controlled Jlloyd Samuel's cross he turned in a shot that cannoned off the outside of Srnicek's near post.
Matthew Taylor was inches from brining the visitors level, however Thomas Sorensen leapt majestically to tip over the full back's curling right-footed effort.
The Dane had to be on his toes just before the break when Alexei Smertin rifled in a shot, and while the former Black Cat blocked the shot, the ball span dangerously out for a corner.
Portsmouth were back on level terms moments after the interval when Yakubu Aiyegbeni beat Dublin from Berger's cross to power a close-range header past Sorensen.
Angel almost bagged his second moments later, but after a good turn in the box he lashed his right-footed effort just wide of Srnicek's post.
The visitors continued to create the better of the chance, however Yakubu ran out of luck with a tricky over-head kick, while Jason Roberts seemed short on confidence.
Just when it looked like neither side would seize the chance of all three points Villa bagged the winner when Linvoy Primus's clearance hit Vassell and rolled into the net.
The home side had been appealing for a penalty after Dublin collapsed in the box, however the clearance stuck Vassell and Boris Zivkovic simultaneously giving Srnicek no chance of a save and leaving the visitors to rue a crucial lost point.
Report From  , For full report and stats, click here.
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