Portsmouth travel to the West Midlands already playing catch up with the rest of the Premier League after a disastrous start to the season.
Five losses from five spell the worst start possible for Paul Hart's side, which has been heavily restructured in recent weeks.
MARTIN O'NEILL
Although there has been some misfortune at Fratton Park on the pitch in recent weeks, the harsh truth facing Hart is that his side haven't been good enough to expect to survive in the Premier League thus far.
Villa have gone from strength-to-strength since a nightmare opening day performance at home to Wigan Athletic, silencing critics who claimed they would be unable to back up on their performances from the 2008-09 season.
Martin O'Neill will expect nothing less of his side than a convincing victory and an early exit from the UEFA Europa League is perhaps a benefit to his side's performances domestically.
Villa will have midweek off this week while the likes of Everton and Fulham slog it out across the continent on Thursday, freeing them to concentrate on league success and allow O'Neill's modestly-sized squad some respite after a hard-fought derby win over Birmingham City on Sunday.
Villa will need as much rest as they can get, as Stewart Downing is out until Christmas with his ankle injury, while Curtis Davies has a dislocated shoulder and could be sidelined until the new year.
Versatile defender Luke Young may be back in contention after a thigh problem and compassionate leave.
If Portsmouth's problems weren't bad enough, they still have a number of players in the treatment room and plenty face a race against time to be fit for the trip to Villa Park.
Mark Wilson (groin), Papa Bouba Diop (hamstring), Herman Hreidarsson (ankle) and Steve Finnan (hamstring) are all doubtful, while Linvoy Primus is expected to be out for some time.
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