Late goal saves Villa's blushes

Villa left it late but came back from 2-0 down with two hotly disputed goals to earn a replay against the Portsmouth side inspired by the return of chairman Terry Venables.

First Steve Staunton and then Simon Grayson - with only a couple of minutes left on the clock scored - for the Premiership side as Portsmouth players appealed for offside to be given.

Portsmouth had looked as though they had booked their place in the fourth round draw until Grayson broke through the defence to chip the ball over advancing keeper Alan Knight to send the rain soaked Midlands fans home delighted.

And goalkeeper Mark Bosnich produced a magnificent diving save in the dying seconds from Paul Hall to secure the 2-2 draw.

Referee Uriah Rennie was booed off the pitch at the end by the Portsmouth fans following his controversial decision.

And there was disbelief in the grounds that Portsmouth, struggling at the bottom of Division One, had thrown away a golden opportunity light up their season after going 2-0 up after 38 minutes through two deflected goals by Craig Foster.

Ans as the match began in sodden conditions following torrential rain. Portsmouth looked as if they had benefited as they took the game to Villa.

After only six minutes, Foster robbed Fernando Nelson on the edge of the area, survived a clumsy challenge from the Portuguese defender and then saw his shot deflected past Bosnich from 20 yards and go in.

It was against the run of play that Pompey doubled their lead on 38 minutes with another wicked deflection on a shot from Foster. Bosnich looked to have the ball well covered until it spooned off a defender’s legs and over his body into the net.