The Pompey boss has to deal with two enforced changes from the side who fell to defeat against Manchester United on Sunday.

Both Jamie O'Hara and Prince Boateng are cup tied so will have to replaced.

Also missing will be David James, although the England international is making a good recovery from his calf injury.

Papa Bouba Diop and Steve Finnan are both still recovering from their hamstring problems.

Blues boss Avram Grant said: 'We have a tough game against a strong Aston Villa team.

'They are a side I like. I like the way they work for each other and put in a lot of effort.

'Martin O'Neill is not someone I knew before I came to England, but he is a good man who I like very much.

'We need to keep creating chances.

'If we keep creating 18 chances per game we will score goals and start winning our games.

'We will not miss forever. Against Blackburn and Stoke we dominated but didn't score.

'So I'm happy we are making opportunities, at least.'

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Martin O'Neill has fitness concerns over Nigel Reo-Coker for tonight's clash.

The midfielder limped out of Saturday's Spurs draw with an ankle problem and may not be risked.

Left-back Stephen Warnock is another concern, having missed the Spurs game with a virus, so Luke Young is poised to deputise again.

Meanwhile, James Collins remains a doubt with the groin problem which has kept him out of the past three matches.

Curtis Davies is out until the new year after dislocating his shoulder.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill said: 'I would reiterate the sentiment of most people in football in saying that Paul Hart was desperately unlucky and I think Portsmouth's matches merited a few more points than they have got on the board.

'Avram has got an opportunity now and obviously wants to stamp his own authority on things in the way managers do.

'The interesting thing is, had John Terry scored the penalty (in the Champions League final), Avram Grant would have still managed that side at Chelsea – and managed it very well indeed.

'It wasn't a case of him taking over for two or three games. It was a fairly lengthy period and managing brilliant players was a credit to him.'