24/02/2012

Wigan v aston villa match preview

Kick off 3pm Dw stadium
.
Match Preview
Roberto Martinez's first game in charge of Latics was against Aston Villa on the opening day of the 2009/10 season when a super strike from Hugo Rodallega and a well-worked goal from Jason Koumas gave Latics the 2-0 win.
Strangely, there has been just one win for the home side in this fixture in the Premier League, that was the reverse fixture at Villa Park back in October. But this fixture almost guarantees goals with the two sides only ever having played out a goal-less draw on one occasion.
Wigan Athletic are looking to build on the fantastic win at the Reebok Stadium against fellow strugglers boltkn last time out while Aston Villa have not won in four in all competitions. With Wigans' nearest rivals all having tough fixtures this weekend could see them climb out of the bottom three for the first time for a long time.
Team News
Roberto Martinez, not for the first time this season, has a fully fit squad to choose from with Callum McManaman having shaken off a back complaint in Oman. A number of unnamed members of the squad have also recovered from a virus.
Richard Dunne will miss the game through the shoulder injury he picked up against Manchester City. Ciaran Clark is another long term absentee not expected back until late March. Barry Bannan (ankle) is rated at 50-50 and could be available after picking up his injury in the reserves.
Head to Head aston Villa have the slight edge over Wiganin terms of previous league meetings with five wins to Latics four, with four draws. Last time the two sides met at Villa Pa rk in October was the first time that the home side has won the game. When there has been a winner previously, it has always been the away side.
Hot Shots
Wigan Athletic
Franco Di Santo - 4Jordi Gomez - 4Ben Watson - 4
Aston Villa
Darren Bent - 10Gabby Agbonlahor - 6Martin Petrov - 4
Last Line ups
Wigan Athletic (v Bolton [A] W2-1): A Al Habsi, G Caldwell, E Boyce, M Figueroa, A Alcaraz, J Beausejour, V Moses, J Gomez (H Rodallega, 75), J McArthur, J McCarthy, F Di Santo (D Jones, 89).Subs not used: A Crusat, R Stam, B Watson, M Pollitt, M Diame.
Aston Villa (v Man City [H] L0-1): S Given (N Baker, 90), A Hutton, C Cuellar, R Dunne, J Collins, S Petrov yellow card, M Albrighton (S Ireland, 78), G Gardner, D Bent, R Keane, E Heskey (C N'Zogbia, 69) Subs not used: B Guzan, S Warnock, A Weimann, B Bannan.