Indeed, we have a 100% Premiership loss record at Villa Park. Only the records at Stamford Bridge, White Hart Lane and Old Trafford can match that from the teams who are still in the top flight since our return. We go there stronger than ever this season, but it will still be difficult to beat a team who have found some form, with Villa unbeaten in 5 games.
Patrik Berger has come good for Martin O'Neill recently and will look to do his former club and manager damage if fit for the game. Villa are likely to field the expensive strike force of John Carew and Ashley Young ahead of the returning Gavin McCann and the lightning fast Agbonlahor who was a real pain in the arse at Fratton Park.
We could take advantage of Villa's shortcomings at the back, with Thomas Sorenson having an edgy season, summed up with his fumble into his own against Middlesbrough last week. On the other hand former Villan David James is still waiting for his clean sheet record but I doubt he will claim it at Villa Park.
Glen Johnson is fit again but I hope Harry restrains himself and leaves him on the bench as Lauren has been playing well at right back and having both players in the side hasn't worked this season. Benjani and Kanu look to start up front after Harry lauded them for their effective teamwork against Newcastle last week.
If this game is anything like the one at Fratton Park earlier this season then we're in for a cracker and I just hope we show no fear and try and play a conservative game like we have done away from home this season, and our lack of ambition has cost us valuable points. Even so, nothing can be as bad as this match was last season.
With Tottenham getting a last gasp equaliser against Arsenal, we've been jumped so an unlikely win against Villa would be more than welcome tomorrow.
Let's put these claret and blue demons behind us and get that win that would give our push for Europe a vital boost!
Premiership Past: Aston Villa vs Pompey
03/04: Aston Villa 2 Pompey 1
Juan Pablo Angel; who has now left Villa opened the scoring with a header only for Yakubu to equalise with a header of his own in the second half. Pompey looked like they were going to hold on until Darius Vassell scored a fortunate goal to give Villa the win.
04/05: Aston Villa 3 Pompey 0
It wasn't just in 2007 when we saved our worst away performance of the season after beating Manchester United. We did exactly the same thing in 2004! Pompey capitulated as goals from Whittingham, Angel and Solano gave David O'Leary's men the easy win.
05/06: Aston Villa 1 Pompey 0
Milan Baros scored possibly the easiest goal of his life in what was possibly the worst football match I have ever seen when you consider that this was supposed to be a Premiership game in a stadium that can hold over 40,000 people. No passion, no atmosphere, no ambition, nothing. We looked certain to be relegated...
Pundit Watch
Lawro: Home Win (2-1)
Sky Sports: Home Win (1-0)
Soccernet: Draw
Matt Le Tissier: Draw (2-2)