Two outstanding strikes from Ghana international, Sulley Muntari helped Portsmouth to a sixth straight away win against a shell-shocked Aston Villa.
Villa dominated the first half but fell behind early on when scrappy play in their penalty area led to Craig Gardner prodding the ball into his own net.
The first of Muntari's screamers came after 40 minutes. The Villa defence failed to close him down as he fired a left-footed shot into the top right-hand corner from 25 yards. It was an unlikely end to the first half.
Muntari's second shortly into the second period was even better.
The Black Stars player robbed Nigel Reo-Coker in the Villa half and nutmegged Zat Knight before shooting low into the bottom corner.
A late penalty for Villa was converted by Gareth Barry.