O'Neill keeps hope for Euro dream

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neil refused to give up his side’s quest for a UEFA Cup place after two stunning first-half goals enabled Portsmouth to climb over them into sixth place in the Premier League.

Villa followed up a miserable home draw against Middlesbrough with only their second defeat in 18 league games after keeper Scott Carson was beaten by Jermain Defoe’s cool 11th-minute lob and then rushed out of goal again to smash a clearance against the legs of team-mate Nigel Reo-Coker for a freak own goal.