Young Lions Ciaran Clark and Nathan Delfouneso edged Villa closer to the Barclays Premier Reserve League (south) title on a comfortable evening for Kevin MacDonald's men.

The Academy duo struck second-half goals as ten-man Pompey never really threatened to dent the title charge.

The winning margin could have been far more emphatic and Villa now need just two points from the last three games of the season to guarantee top spot.

Fresh from his senior debut Routledge saw his low effort deflected wide inside the second minute.

Lund powered down the right on five, but saw his angled cross elude strikers Williams and Delfouneso.

Pompey keeper Begovic came off his line to collect a hanging left-wing cross from Bannan on eight.

Seconds later Bannan carved out the opening as Williams fired over from the edge of the box.

Baker rattled the post with a superb volley on 17 as Villa looked to break the deadlock.

Mutambo almost opened the scoring for Pompey a minute later, but Taylor saved low to his right.

Williams headed straight at Begovic on 22 as he rose to meet Lund's right-wing centre.

Ritchie sent a diving header into the Holte End on 25 as he met Udogi's left-wing corner.

A minute later Bannan sent a looping effort onto the roof of the net.

Delfouneso fired high and wide after a sensational turn to make space for himself on 29.

The visitors were reduced to ten men a minute later as Wilson was dismissed for a foul on the edge the box. Bannan tested Begovic with a low left-foot free-kick, but the keeper did well to save.

Lund cut in from the right with a mazy run on 33, but fired a low shot straight at Begovic. Seconds later Williams and Delfouneso both wasted opportunities to open the scoring.

Crainie did well to cut out Bannan's left-wing centre on 36 as Villa pressed for a breakthrough.

Routledge saw a low right-foot drive deflected behind for a corner in stoppage time.

Delfouneso made an explosive start to the second-half with a surging run from the kick-off. Crainie slid the ball behind for a corner.

The young striker fired narrowly over the bar on 47 as he made space for himself on the edge of the Pompey box.

Routledge sent a right-wing centre flashing across the face of goal on 50. Osbourne then fired over from the edge of the box.

Clark finally broke the deadlock on 56, scrambling a Routledge centre over the line at the second time of asking.

Salifou fired into the Holte End from the edge of the box on 61.

Bannan fired wide from the edge of the box after outrageous trickery down the right from Routledge five minutes later.

Villa enjoyed plenty of possession as the second-half continued, without really testing Begovic in the Pompey goal.

Delfouneso doubled Villa's lead with a superb solo effort on 72, firing home from the edge of the box after beating three men to create the opening.

Bannan almost made it three from an acute angle three minutes later, but Begovic blocked the shot.

Williams went even closer on 79 as he raced onto Osbourne's flick, but Begovic palmed the ball wide. The keeper then tipped a Williams header over the bar.

Williams headed onto the roof of the net from Albrighton's inviting right-wing cross.

Forrester cut in from the left on 87, but fired high into the Holte End.

Tune into AVTV Online for all the video highlights tomorrow.

VILLA: Taylor, Lund, Lowry, Osbourne (booked 24), Clark, Baker, Salifou, Routledge, Williams, Delfouneso, Bannan. Subs: Forrester (for Routledge 75), Bevan, Albrighton (for Osbourne 81), Mikaelsson (for Delfouneso 86), Lichaj.

Portsmouth: Begovic, Udoji, Wilson (sent-off 30), Oastler, Cranie; Mutombo, Walker, Hughes, Pack, Ritchie, Subotic. Subs: Smith, Blackman (for Hughes 34), Collins, Hassani (for Ritchie 61), Cowan-Hall (for Walker 56).