Muntari goals get Pompey win

Two fantastic goals from Sulley Muntari gave Portsmouth a fantastic 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park to reemphasise Pompey's European football ambitions.

Villa were the better side in the first half with Pompey's first goal coming against the run of play. A corner was played to the edge of the penalty area for Noe Pamarot to fire at goal. His shot was miscued but the ball bounced around in the area and was turned into his own net by Craig Gardner, who tried to clear the danger as Benjani was lining up a special.

Sulley Muntari worked an opening on the edge of the area and fired a left foot shot into the top corner, giving Scott Carson no chance, and to double Portsmouth's lead.

After the break Pompey got Muntari's second and their third when he robbed Nigel Reo-Coker and beat two defenders before firing a brilliant shot with the outside of his foot from thirty yards out into the top corner.

O'Neill will feel his side at least deserved something from the game, and they were awarded a penalty by Mike Riley when Ashley Young was brought down in the area by Sylvain Distin. Gareth Barry duly converted it to get a consolation for the home side.

Portsmouth move up to fifth in the Premiership.