FOOTBALL : Stewart Downing scored on his first start for Aston Villa to help send them into the Carling Cup semi-finals after a 4-2 win at Portsmouth.
Stewart Downing scored on his first start for Aston Villa to help send them into the Carling Cup semi-finals after a 4-2 win at Portsmouth.
Downing suffered a fractured foot in May, against Villa while playing for Middlesbrough, but boss Martin O’Neill deemed him ready for a starting place after making his debut as a substitute last month and the summer signing wrapped up victory at Fratton Park.
Stiliyan Petrov’s early own goal was cancelled out by Emile Heskey’s equaliser, with James Milner establishing a lead for the visitors before Downing struck late on. Kanu pulled one back to set up an exciting finale but Ashley Young made sure of victory.
