Portsmouth 2-0 Aston Villa

Mar 16 2008 John Alexander Reports

VILLA boss Martin O'Neill has refused to give up on European qualification despite this loss.

Pompey took the lead when Jermaine Defoe lobbed Scott Carson in 11 minutes.

Then Carson's clearance struck Nigel Reo-Coker and flew into the net after 38 minutes. Both teams ended with 10 men as Sulley Muntari and Olof Mellberg were sent off in separate incidents.

O'Neill said: "We won't give up. There are eight games to go and plenty of twists left."