Villa manager Martin O’Neill aims to give silverware-starved supporters the perfect early Christmas present at Portsmouth by leading his team within touching distance of Wembley.

Victory tonight in the last eight of the Carling Cup would thrust Villa, whose last major trophy came in the competition in 1996, into a two-legged semi-final at the start of January.

O’Neill believes there would be no better way for his team to bring in the New Year.

He said: “It would be terrific to try to get through and have a two legged semi-final to look forward to in January. We are trying to get through in a game that won’t be easy for us and could go either way. But if you are asking me if it would be a fillip for everyone? Yes it would.”

League Cup victories in 1994 and 1996 under Ron Atkinson and Brian Little respectively represent Villa’s only triumphs in the last 25 years.

O’Neill admits that isn’t good enough and, having guided Leicester to the trophy in 1997 and 2000, reckons winning it would “energise” his players.

He said: “At Leicester when we won the first trophy, it really was great. We needed a replay at Hillsborough to beat Middlesbrough and it is a fantastic feeling for everyone at the club, not just the manager.

“The players were particularly excited by it and, obviously for the fans, it is great to win something. You ask the old Leicester players, and it does wonders for your confidence and your whole morale – and it would be the just the same this time if the same happened at Villa.

“The history of this club would suggest we should be contesting more semi-finals and finals than in the last 25 years. Villa have won this trophy once or twice. I remember Brian Little telling me that to win it was really terrific and the feeling that was felt throughout the whole club was really energising.”

Nigel Reo-Coker (ankle) and Stephen Warnock (illness) will both be given every chance to prove their fitness but James Collins (calf and groin) again misses out.

O’Neill added: “James’ calf is feeling sore, but his groin is much better. I don’t know how he is shaping up but he won’t make tonight.”