TheFA.com brings you the players to look out for in red at Villa Park...
TheFA.com brings you the players to look out for in red at Villa Park...
Vitor Baia
Goalkeeper - FC Porto - Born 15.10.69
Baia, a goalkeeper who is superb in one-on-one situations, returned to the international fray in South Korea after four operations on his right knee and 17 months spent on the sidelines. Unfortunately, Portugal's most celebrated 'keeper - and their undoubted Number One for 12 years before his lengthy spell on the treatment table - endured a disappointing World Cup competition earlier this summer.
Ricardo
Goalkeeper - Boavista - Born 11.02.76
Agile shot-stopper who broke into the Portuguese side last year with a number of fine performances. Ricardo was particularly impressive on his international debut in a high-pressure World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland. After seemingly making the Number One jersey his own, he was edged out of the World Cup first team by the return from injury of Vitor Baia.
Jorge Andrade
Defender - Deportivo - Born 09.04.78
Promising young centre-back who has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years. Strong in the air, yet equally comfortable with the ball at his feet, Andrade will be looking to hold down a first team place in the national side in the near future. He can also operate effectively in a holding midfield role.
Beto
Defender - Sporting Lisbon - Born 03.05.76
Tough tackling central defender or right-back who scored in Portugal's opening World Cup game against the USA. A member of the Under-18 team, Beto won the European Championship at that level with Portugal in 1994. He is particularly effective in the air.
Jorge Costa
Defender - FC Porto - Born 14.10.71
A seemingly permanent fixture in the national team for many seasons, Costa had a year-long loan stint in the Premiership with Charlton Athletic in 2001-02. Immense power and astute tactical awareness place him among the toughest of international centre-backs. He netted an unfortunate own-goal in the 3-2 defeat by the USA at the World Cup Finals.
Fernando Couto
Defender - Lazio - Born 02.08.69
Since returning to action with Lazio in 2002, Couto has been playing some of the best football of his career. He is a powerful, uncompromising central defender who marshals the back four in masterly fashion. Couto captained Portugal at the recent World Cup Finals.
Nuno Frechaut
Defender - Boavista - Born 24.09.77
Frechaut is a vital and versatile player. He has done exceptionally well when filling the right-back role for Portugal. Solid defensively and very dangerous when going forward, he claimed a Portuguese title medal with Boavista in 2001.
Rui Jorge
Defender - Sporting Lisbon - Born 27.03.73
Formerly a back-up player with the national side, Rui Jorge has made the left-back berth his own over the past year. Fierce in the tackle, he also likes to get forward and can deliver a great final ball when the opportunity presents itself. He played in all three of his country's matches at the World Cup Finals.
Abel Xavier
Defender - Liverpool - Born 30.11.72
The instantly recognisable defensive dynamo swapped the blue of Everton for the Anfield red last season - making him only the third player to complete that journey in recent times. Abel has played for a whole host of top European clubs, including Bari, Real Oviedo and PSV Eindhoven before trying his luck in the Premiership with the 'Toffees'. He made one substitute appearance in this summer's World Cup tournament.
Nuno Capucho
Midfielder - FC Porto - Born 21.02.72
Made his full international debut in 1996 but has only recently started to become a key member of the first team. He is a pacy and skilful left winger who loves to get to the by-line and whip in a dangerous cross. During the World Cup he came on as a substitute in the 4-0 victory over Poland.
Sergio Conceicao
Midfielder - Inter Milan - Born 15.11.74
A clever, imaginative right-sided player who is most effective as a winger and chips in with his fair share of goals. Conceicao wasn't at his best in Serie A last season but was one of his country's plusses at the World Cup, almost putting Portugal into Round Two - but he hit a post and was then denied by the South Korean 'keeper Lee Woon-jae in the dying seconds of their final Group D game.
Rui Costa
Midfielder - AC Milan - Born 29.03.72
Milan shelled out £28 million to recruit this cultured playmaker from Fiorentina last summer, but a sequence of severe injuries have limited his opportunities at the San Siro. He always seems to have plenty of time on the ball and can thread a killer pass through the proverbial needle's eye. Rui Costa scored the fourth goal in Portugal's demolition of Poland at the World Cup.
Luis Figo
Midfielder - Real Madrid - Born 04.11.72
One of the finest players on the planet who was voted FIFA's World Footballer of the Year last season. His skill, vision and incredible ability with both feet make him a threat from anywhere on the pitch. Won the Champions' League last season with Real Madrid, then endured a disappointing World Cup along with the rest of his Portuguese team-mates.
Petit
Midfielder - Benfica - Born 25.09.76
Was one of Portugal's key performers at the World Cup, playing very capably in the centre of the park. Petit was a key figure in Boavista's title success of 2001. A fierce tackler who can also distribute the ball intelligently, he moved to Benfica in the summer.
Hugo Viana
Midfielder - Newcastle United - Born 15.01.83
The new hope of Portuguese football due to his phenomenal performances with Sporting Lisbon last season. His fine form prompted an £8.5 million move to the Premiership with Sir Bobby Robson's Newcastle United. Viana played for the Under-21s in the European Championship before joining up with the full national side in the Far East.
Nuno Gomes
Forward - Benfica - Born 05.07.76
Quick, instinctive striker who really revelled in a lone forward role for his country during Euro 2000. Last season, his goals dried up in a struggling Fiorentina side, but his strike rate of almost one in every two games for Portugal speaks for itself. Following the financial collapse of Fiorentina this summer, Nuno signed for Benfica.
Pauleta
Forward - Bordeaux - Born 28.04.73
Joint leading-scorer in the French top flight last season, Pauleta had a lot to live up to going into the World Cup Finals. Despite the failings of many of his team-mates, he led the line well and netted a superb hat-trick against Poland in Jeonju. An excellent first touch and a powerful shot make him a threat from anywhere in the opposition's half.
Luis Boa Morte
Forward - Fulham - Born 04.08.77
Former Arsenal winger who scored 21 First Division goals for the Cottagers as they cruised into the Premiership in 2000/01. Luis possesses incredible speed and a stunning left-foot which has led to his inclusion in the national squad. He was a snip at £1.7 million from Southampton in 2001, after spending the previous season on loan at Craven Cottage. Has started this season in buoyant fashion, adapting well to a new left-wing role.
Simao Sabrosa
Forward - Benfica - Born 30.10.79
Gifted winger who can play on either side of the field but is more comfortable on the right. Sabrosa moved from Sporting Lisbon to Barcelona in 1999 for £9.2 million, but failed to establish himself and has since returned to his homeland with Benfica