Portsmouth extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games with a clinical performance in the 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday.

Sulley Muntari scored two brilliant goals on either side of half time after Craig Gardner's own goal had given Portsmouth the lead. Villa failed to create any real chances but pulled one back with 13 minutes remaining when Gareth Barry scored from the penalty spot.

Portsmouth were on course for their first victory at Villa Park for over 52 years by the 10th minute when Noe Pamarot's harmless shot from the right was redirected into the goal by Craig Gardner even as Aston Villa were starting to get the upper hand in the match.

The hosts had two great chances to equalize through Martin Laursen in a space of two minutes but the defender messed up both of his chances by heading straight into the waiting hands of David James.

Villa were dominating the chances in the first half as both Gabriel Agbonlahor and Gareth Barry failed to convert their opportunities with Portsmouth happy to sit back and soak up the pressure. The visitors doubled the lead 5 minutes before the half time whistle with a brilliant goal by Muntari.

The 23-year old took possession of the ball midway into the opposition half and with Villa unable to close him down quickly, released an unstoppable drive past a helpless Scott Carson to double his team's lead.

Muntari bagged his second of the night in the 61st minute as he snatched possession from Nigel Reo-Coker before smashing the ball into the net from outside the penalty area. Villa did not give up and continued to press ahead and were rewarded in the 72nd minute when Ashley Young was fouled inside the area by Distin and Barry made no mistake from the penalty spot.