Villa’s second-string get tied in knots in Germany, while there’s a rare sighting of a Pompey clean sheet at Fratton Park, as Crouch keeps his star on the rise…

With Pompey already out on their ear, Adams predictably made a string of changes against Heerenveen. Young Marc Wilson came in at right back for Johnson and his swollen knee. Hreidarsson and Pamarot were paired at centre-back, with Distin and Campbell sitting out. Diop came back into central midfield for Davis, Traore replaced Kranjcar and Kanu came in for the rested Defoe. Ashdown started for James in goal.

Crouch stole the show with his brace, maintaining his impressive form that has seen him notch 5 goals in his last 7 outings. Last night’s goals took him on to 11 strikes for the season and, as a mid-price option, he is rapidly climbing the fantasy shortlist game-on-game. Contrast his form with Defoe who has hit just a pair of goals in his last 8 Premier League starts and it’s clear that Crouch’s strike partner needs to up his returns or risk being part of a straight swap for many fantasy managers.

Traore limped off late on and will be a doubt for the trip to the Reebok encounter at the weekend. In truth, he is unlikely starter regardless. Kranjcar will surely return on the left with Mvuemba perhaps keeping his starting berth on the right. Belhadj will compete with Pamarot for a start at left back and I’ve a feeling that Adams will go with the latter as he looks to stiffen his defence. Campbell and Distin should return in the centre, as Adam’s prepares for the inevitable muscular assault from Bolton.

While Pompey went out with a proverbial bang, Villa went through to the knock-out stages with a whimper. A second-string lineup were turned over convincingly by a tasty Hamburg outfit masterminded by Premier League bound Martin Jol.

There was very little to glean from this other than the likes of Luke Young, Cuellar and Shorey did very little to convince O’Neill that they deserve to win or maintain regular starts in his first eleven.

Only Sidwell, Cuellar, Luke Young and Reo-Coker are likely to get near the teamsheet for the trip to West Ham this weekend. How long they stay in O’Neill’s plans will depend greatly on the business he can do in January. As such, they all remain on the periphery in fantasy terms.