Although many fans will note that the Claret and Blue have already taken on Liverpool and Man City, what must be remembered is the context in which those two games were played.
The clash with City on the opening day was played amid a backdrop of uncertainty for the men from Manchester as they had troubles with their ownership.
Villa eventually steamrollered the Blue Moon boys in the second half with Gabby Agbonlahor scoring a hat trick.
It certainly wasn't the same City side that took to the field against Portsmouth a few weeks later and annihilated them 6-0 at Eastlands.
The Liverpool game also had external issues surrounding it, as the Gareth Barry melodrama came to its conclusion.
Another reason why Villa don't mind playing Liverpool at home too much is because usually Rafa Benitez is happy to sit back and defend.
This proved to be the case again and with the Reds missing Steven Gerrard they were typically lacking impetus.
Masters
But, Portsmouth are a much trickier proposition than both of those sides were at the times Villa played against them.
OK, Pompey's away record is hardly perfect but they will be out to show that last season's 3-1 victory at Villa Park was no fluke.
Their outfit has a dangerous look to it from back to front.
Vila fans know all about David James and Peter Crouch but it's the counter attacking speed of players like Glen Johnson and Jermain Defoe which could pose the main problems.
With the emphasis on the home side to attack, Harry Redknapp's men will be looking to exploit the gaps left by such forward surges.
Villa are the masters of the counter attacking away game but on Saturday they will have to use all of their knowledge about it to defend against it.
Manager Martin O'Neill will field the same side for the eighth consecutive Premier League game provided Gabby Agbonlahor recovers from a hamstring strain.
Portsmouth are without midfielders Lassana Diarra and Richard Hughes who both picked up injuries during the International break.