Aston Villa jumped to sixth in the English premier league on Tuesday after beating promoted Portsmouth 2-1 with goals from Juan Pablo Angel and Darius Vassell.

Angel scored in the 22nd minute, heading home a cross from Gareth Barry.

Lively Portsmouth looked likely to steal a point after equalising in the 49th minute through Yakubu Ayegbeni.

But Darius Vassell claimed Villa's winner in the 83rd minute after a goalmouth melee during which the ball rebounded off several players.

The result allowed Villa to leapfrog city rivals Birmingham, Southampton, Newcastle and Liverpool who all play on Wednesday in the premier league.

Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth side remain fifth from bottom a point clear of the relegation zone.

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