Impressive kid already exaggerating injury at a Premiership level

If anyone needs proof that a little bit of nepotism goes a long way, this is it. Over the weekend,  Julio Cesar Baldivieso opted to give his 12-year-old son Mauricio Baldivieso a run out with Bolivian top flight side Club Aurora.

The nipper, who turns thirteen tomorrow, came on in the 35th minute in an away match with La Paz, and was given a rather nasty introduction to the world of professional football. At around [0.50] in the video Baldivieso is brought down with a challenge that left him in tears. This reaction would have brought his ability to handle football at the top level into question had he not saved grace by rolling around on the floor with all the aplomb and conviction of a true international star.

Baldiviesois now thought to be the youngest South American debutant, smashing the record set by 13-year-old Peruvian Fernando Garcia in 2001.

[IM Scouting]

Portsmouth/Aston Villa, 8pm, Sky Sports 2, free £10 bet

Last season just three points separated these two sides at this stage. With sixteen to play, Portsmouth are already twenty short of Aston Villa in 2008/09. Both sides failed to impress against Championship opposition in the FA Cup, but Martin O’Neill’s side are unbeaten in ten league games. Tonight, however, will be the first time this season that they will not be able to utilise their “genius” Ashley Young.

Should you fancy a punt on tonight’s televised match, the folks at chickendinner have provided some very useful statistics:

A WORRYING HESKEY TREND
Emile Heskey has never scored a goal on any of his five debuts for club or country (Leicester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Wigan and England), but more worryingly, none of his first appearances at his last three clubs ended in victory. Wigan lost 2-1 to Newcastle in his debut there while Liverpool and Birmingham were both held 1-1, the latter of which came away to Portsmouth.

…AND THERE’S A WORRYING YOUNG ONE TOO
Since the start of the 2007-08 season, Ashley Young has only missed one game, a 2-1 defeat away to Fulham last February. Prior to that, Villa had been unbeaten for nine league games while Fulham had been unbeaten in twelve.

VILLA’S AWAY RECORD
Aston Villa have won five consecutive away games, something they had last achieved in May 1998. If they win tonight it will be the first time in Premier League history that they have won six in succession. Villa are one of only two clubs,