Aston Villa 0-0 Portsmouth, Villa Park, 22 April 2007

Both sides are in with a chance of qualifying for Europe - since finishing 8^th this season will give them a chance to get into the Inter-Toto cup – where a two leg tie will stand between them and the UEFA cup – the route taken by Newcastle last year.

A draw was perhaps a fair result but both sides really needed to win to step up their chances of European qualification.

That Aston Villa didn’t win was down to another fine performance from David James, who finally broke David Seaman’s record of clean sheets – this being his 142^nd in top class football..

All credit to James – who has reached new heights with Portsmouth – and looks as though he can keep goal for a few more years yet.

While James does make some bad mistakes – he is nevertheless the most talented goalkeeper in the Premiership - and some of his saves this season have been world class.

His save in the second half from the every-improving Gabriel Agbonlahor was one such save – when he somehow managed to turn a bullet drive around the post….the speed of the ball would have beaten most goalkeepers.

Both Portsmouth and Aston Villa have done well this season and must look towards next season with some hope. On the one hand Harry Redknapp has done a wonderful job at Portsmouth and always seems to get the best out of his players.

Martin O’Neill has made a slow start with Aston Villa but the signs are there that they are becoming a disciplined and organized side – and the players he has brought in – John Carew, Ashley Young and Stiliyan Petrov – have all looked class players.

Aston Villa - after this result - seem to have little chance of qualifying for Europe being 8 points off 8^th place.

Portsmouth, however, still have an excellent chance of qualifying for Europe being only a single point off 8^th place, currently held by Tottenham Hotspur.

It would certainly be a great achievement if Harry Redknapp takes his side into Europe – only one short year after miraculously saving them from relegation.

We’ll just have to wait and see how this all turns out.