Aston Villa 3 - 0 Hull City

The Villans moved into European contention Saturday with a confident 3 - 0 win over visiting Hull. Richard Dunne scored an early goal following a corner and a magnificent through ball from James Milner, and Milner caught Hull keeper Matt Duke off his line in the 29th minute to put Villa up 2 - 0 at the half. A penalty by John Carew in the 88th minute, returning from a hamstring strain last week, put the game beyond all doubt. Stewart Downing impressed the blue and claret faithful in his home debut after netting one in Wednesday's Carling Cup quarterfinal. With Liverpool stumbling to a goalless tie at Blackburn, Villa move to fifth place in the Premiership, in qualifying position for a Europa league spot should they hold their position. This may be easier said than done, though, with ties against Man U., Arsenal, and Liverpool before December is out.

Portsmouth 2 - 4 Aston Villa (Carling Cup)

Goals from Heskey, Milner, Downing, and Young negated an early own goal from Stiliyan Petrov, as Aston Villa bested Portsmouth in a critical Carling Cup quarterfinal. Stewart Downing scored in his first start for the club, a rebound header that give the Villans an assuring 3 - 1 lead at the time. Villa moves on to play Blackburn in the semifinals on January 5th, at home in Villa Park, but not before taking on Hull City later today.