Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa
Football : English Premier League
Tuesday 25 January 2011 - Kickoff 7:45pm

---

Wigan Athletic

Wigan Athletic continue to fight the good fight as they look to maintain their position as a Premier League side. This game represents a crucial one against a team that is down at the bottom of the table along with the Latics and could go a long way in determining their future status as a top flight club.

The team currently occupies the final relegation spot in the League table at 18th, but they are only 1 point behind Birmingham in the position above them, albeit with a far inferior goal difference. Wigan are 2-6-4 at the DW Stadium this season, scoring just 11 goals and conceding 21. The team are the lowest scorers in the League overall, although Birmingham have scored less goals at home this season so far.

The defeat at the Emirates Stadium at the weekend was only the 2nd suffered by the Latics in their last 9 games in all competitions. Unfortunately they have had a number of draws in that time and have only 2 wins in that sequence, 1 of those coming in the FA Cup. Wigan have not won any of their last 4 League games at home, drawing 3 of those games.

Gary Caldwell is suspended after being sent off at the weekend. Chris Kirkland is available again in goal but is unlikely to displace the in-form Al-Habsi. Better news for Roberto Martinez is the return of James McCarthy for selection.

Aston Villa

After some of the criticisms aimed at Aston Villa over the last week over their purchase of Darren Bent, both by his ex club Sunderland and by the media for the inflated price of 24 million pounds, Gerard Houllier could be forgiven for feeling a little smug on Saturday afternoon after seeing his side beat Manchester City... Courtesy of a Darren Bent winner no less.

That goal and 3 points pushed Aston Villa up to 16th in the League table, above their rivals Birmingham, and 3 points clear of their opponents here and the relegation zone. Another win here would give them a little more breathing room, but Villa have been poor away from home this season, compiling a 1-3-7 record with 9 goals scored and 26 conceded. Only Wigan have less away goals than Villa this season, while their away defensive record is the joint worst in the League.

After the pressure on Houllier was increased dramatically with a 0-1 home loss to Sunderland, Villa have been unbeaten in their last 3 games, winning 2 of them. They have also been unbeaten in their last 3 away games in all competitions, winning 1 FA Cup tie and drawing 2 Premier League games. Villa have not won any of their last 8 Premier League games on their travels, losing 5 of those.

Jean Makoun will be in line to make his debut for Villa after signing from Lyon. Kyle Walker is hoping to return from injury while Emile Heskey is available after completing a suspension.

Head to Head

Interestingly, it is the away team that has had the best of recent meetings between the teams. Villa have won on their last 3 visits to the DW Stadium, but have lost 2 and drawn 1 in their last 3 games hosting Wigan.

Aston Villa won the corresponding fixture 1-2 last March.

Prediction

It is an important game for both sides as both look to move clear of the relegation zone. A win for Wigan would boost their survival chances and the players will have the added feeling of being out of the relegation zone, while a win for Villa will push them 6 points clear of danger and a chance for the fans to begin looking up the table rather than down.

Wigan have been playing better in recent weeks and have the capabilities to take advantage of a vulnerable Villa defence through the likes of Hugo Rodallega and Charles N'Zogbia. The return of James McCarthy will provide an added goal threat, an area in which Wigan have been lacking a little this season.

Aston Villa have a number of good players on their books and I feel their position in the table is a little false. They have enough quality through the likes of Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor and now Darren Bent to score the goals to move the side up the table. Jean Makoun will provide a bit of steel in midfield to shore up a leaky defence.

Both sides will know how important a win is here and I feel both will be looking for the 3 points. Add to that the vulnerabilities both have in defence and I feel there will be goals in this game. I will back 'Both Teams to Score' in this one as I cannot really trust either team to keep the other out and win the game.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Wigan Athletic 1-2 Aston Villa

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll take a chance on Both Teams to Score @ 1.91 (Paddy Power)

Follow me on Twitter @DavindaAulak