Villa drew a blank for the first time in 23 Barclays Premier League outings on an afternoon to forget at Fratton Park.

First-half goals from Jermain Defoe and a bizarre Nigel Reo-Coker own-goal gave the hosts all three points.

Villa improved on Wednesday's lacklustre display against Middlesbrough, but England keeper David James was equal to anything Martin O'Neill's men could throw at him.

Both sides ended with ten men as Sulley Muntari and Olof Mellberg were given their marching orders in the second-half.

Maloney sent a low shot straight at James on two as he cut in from the left.

With Villa already looking brighter than at any time in midweek, the Scot went closer with a much better effort a minute later, but again James was in the right place.

James raced off his line to deny Agbonlahor on five as the Villa striker met Carew's flick from a long clearance.

At the other end Diarra's right-foot drive was deflected behind on 10.

Defoe broke the deadlock on 12, racing onto a long clearance from Johnson and lifting the ball over Carson into an empty net.

James came off his line to collect Agbonlahor's left-wing centre on 16.

Young's curling free-kick almost beat the former Villa keeper a minute later, but James palmed the ball behind.

Baros was then denied by Carson as he fashioned an opening on the edge of the Villa box.

Muntari headed a Barry free-kick behind on 24 and Bouba Diop headed the resulting corner behind, under pressure from Carew.

James comfortably gathered a long range effort from Reo-Coker on 28.

Laursen slid in to deny Kranjcar a minute later as the Croatian cut in from the left.

Carew fired high and wide on 34 as he latched onto a Young through ball on the edge of the box.

Portsmouth doubled their lead in bizarre circumstances on 38 as Carson raced off his line to clear, only for the ball to cruelly rebound off Reo-Coker into an empty net.

Young almost reduced the arrears in stoppage time, but saw his low drive palmed around the post by James.

Bouba Diop fired over from the edge of the box on 46.

Agbonlahor fired wide from close range on 49 as he met Maloney's low centre from the left.

Kranjcar fired narrowly wide with a low angled drive on 55.

Knight then headed wide as he rose to meet Barry's right-wing corner two minutes later.

Villa substitute Harewood fired into the side netting as he met Carew's flick from a Young centre on 61.

Bouba Diop headed Barry's right-wing free-kick behind for a corner on 66. Laursen headed wide from the corner kick.

With Villa enjoying plenty of possession, Knight just failed to connect with Young's inviting free-kick on 69.

Carson did well to deny Muntari a minute later, diving full length to block a low 30-yard effort.

Kranjcar sliced wide from 12 yards on 72 as he met a low left-wing cross from Baros.

Harewood had the ball in the net on 82, but his low effort was ruled offside.

James brilliantly denied Young on 75, diving low to his left to block a low free-kick.

The Portsmouth keeper then palmed clear from Agbonlahor as Young crossed from the left on 78.

Portsmouth were reduced to ten men on 80 as Muntari fouled Salifou and received a second yellow.

Mellberg sent a low half-volley past the post on 83.

Villa were reduced to ten men on 89 as Mellberg received a second yellow card for pulling Diarra's shirt.

Portsmouth: James, Lauren (booked 65), Johnson, Diarra, Hreidarsson, Diop (booked 85), Baros, Muntari (booked 36 - sent-off 80), Defoe, Distin, Kranjcar. Subs: Ashdown, Aubey, Utaka (for Lauren 82), Kanu (for Baros 84), Mendes.

VILLA: Carson, Mellberg (booked 64 - sent-off 89), Bouma, Laursen, Knight, Reo-Coker, Maloney, Barry, Young, Agbonlahor, Carew. Subs: Taylor, Osbourne, Petrov, Salifou (for Bouma 79), Harewood (for Maloney 57).