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Downing shines as Villa go through
22:45, Dec 1 2009
Stewart Downing scored on his first start for Aston Villa to help send them into the Carling Cup semi-finals after a 4-2 win at Portsmouth.
Downing suffered a fractured foot in May, against Villa while playing for Middlesbrough, but boss Martin O'Neill deemed him ready for a starting place after making his debut as a substitute last month and the summer signing wrapped up victory at Fratton Park.
Stiliyan Petrov's early own goal was cancelled out by Emile Heskey's equaliser, with James Milner establishing a lead for the visitors before Downing struck late on. Kanu pulled one back to set up an exciting finale but Ashley Young made sure of victory.
It took just 10 minutes for Portsmouth to go ahead with a fortuitous opener. Danny Webber's corner was poorly executed and should not have cleared Petrov at the near post, but the Villa skipper sliced into his own goal despite Milner being positioned on the line.
The lead only lasted two minutes though with Milner placing the ball beyond the Pompey defence and Heskey chipping over Portsmouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and in.
Encouraged by the equaliser, the visitors were ahead in the 27th minute through a classic strike from Milner. The England international cut inside from the left flank after collecting winger Young's throw-in and he gave Begovic no chance with his drive into the far corner.
However, Villa could have extended their lead before the break when winger Young crossed from the left - but Gabriel Agbonlahor's header went just over the crossbar.
Downing's moment came 16 minutes from full-time. Winger Young sent over a cross from the right that took a wicked deflection and span across Begovic's goal - and Downing judged the bounce perfectly to head home.
Kanu bundled in a scrappy goal from close range, but Young immediately tucked away Agbonlahor's cross to restore the two-goal cushion.
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