Villa take a 1-0 lead into their Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Blackburn on Wednesday – Gavin Beech gives you his top tip and all the best odds.

Portsmouth have confirmed that former defender Sol Campbell is suing the club for unpaid fees and bonuses totalling £1.7million.

The cash-strapped Premier League club are preparing to appeal against a winding-up petition from Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs following a High Court judge’s ruling.

However Pompey, who have struggled to even pay their playing staff on time on several occasions this season, have revealed that they have received a writ from Campbell’s lawyers for money that he is allegedly owed from image rights and bonus payments.

“The matter is being dealt with by our lawyers,” a club spokesman said when confirming the receipt of the writ.

The 2008 FA Cup champions also owe about £10m to clubs in the Premier League and abroad and are currently barred from signing new players because of a Premier League transfer embargo.

Villa take a 1-0 lead into their Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Blackburn on Wednesday – Gavin Beech gives you his top tip and all the best odds.

Make sure you don’t miss any of the last news and articles from World Soccer. Subscribe to World Soccer today and take advantage of our all 50th anniversary offer, saving up to 50%!