Avram Grant is refusing to treat Portsmouth's Carling Cup last 16 home clash with Aston Villa as just a break from their relegation fight.

Although the Fratton Park side are currently seven points adrift of safety and firm favourites to drop into the Championship, they have shone away from the pressures of league matches.

They thrashed Hereford 4-1 in the Carling Cup second round, before winning 3-1 at Carlisle in the third and dismantling Stoke 4-0 at home to set up a date with Villa in the last eight.

Pompey boss Grant admits securing the club's top-flight future is far more important than booking a trip to Wembley.

But he says his charges will still be under pressure to produce the goods on Tuesday night, even without Premier League points on the line.

The former Chelsea boss said: "To say the players will play without pressure is like saying Van Gogh will paint without the colours.

"Pressure is the name of the game and it's good that they know there is pressure.

"Sports push you to be the best and be at the top. You try to use the pressure to be better."

He added: "Everybody says there's the league, then the FA Cup and the Carling Cup.

"But I think that when you come into a game, you need to want to win - even if it's a friendly game. It doesn't matter if it is football, tennis or golf; you want to win."

When asked whether he could lead Portsmouth into the final, Grant said: "First I am dreaming to stay in the league. Then we will see."

While the Pompey boss admits Saturday's Premier League home clash with Burnley is more vital to the club, he sees the Villa game as an opportunity to take a look at some of his fringe players.

With Jamie O'Hara, Tommy Smith, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Mike Williamson all cup-tied, the ex-Israel national coach is ready to give other players their chance to shine.

He added: "The players that play will want to win and prove themselves.

"It's an opportunity for the players not in the team to show they can be good for us, and I'm sure they will."