O’Neill fearful of Pompey hotshots

Friday 17th October 2008, 11:55AM BST.

Martin O’Neill admits Villa have reason to fear Portsmouth’s dynamic duo of Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe tomorrow.

The top flight’s two most prolific pairings go head-to-head at Villa Park with the combined tally of eight league goals scored by ex-Villa man Crouch (three) and Defoe (five) matched by Villa pair Gabby Agbonlahor and John Carew, who have four apiece.

It could make for fireworks with Villa’s defence having kept a clean sheet in the league just once this term while Pompey have conceded more on their travels than anyone else. And O’Neill concedes his defence are in for a tough afternoon against a partnership he regards among the Premier League’s finest.

“Are Crouch and Defoe as good as most? I wouldn’t disagree,” said the Villa boss, who was linked with both players before their moves to the south coast.

“I don’t think that many of us would have been surprised that when Crouch and Defoe got together that they would yield goals.

“Villa fans would know about Peter Crouch’s attributes here. I think he said himself that all he was crying out for was to play more often than he did at Liverpool.

“They are forming a really good partnership. I am led to believe Crouch was popular here.”

And O’Neill believes the FA Cup winners deserve all the success that has recently come their way.

“Portsmouth showed last season that they are a really fine side. They are very strong,” said O’Neill.

“They went on to win the FA Cup and I think Harry Redknapp has done exceptionally well.”

And Redknapp believes the two clubs are closely matched on the field but still leagues apart off it. “Villa have unbelievable tradition, they won a European Cup. In my opinion, they are one of the big clubs in the country,” said the Pompey boss.

“There wouldn’t be much between the two teams on the pitch.

“But we are looking to get the stadium, which we need. The training ground that we need. They are still quite a bit ahead of us off the pitch.”

Meanwhile, O’Neill has been linked with a return to former club Celtic to swoop for their midfield star Aiden McGeady.

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