Aston Villa v Wigan Athletic
Barclays Premier League
Sunday 19 May 2013, kick off 3.00pm
DW Stadium
Match Preview
A sell out crowd is expected to turn out to say farewell to the Barclays Premier League this Sunday when Aston Villa visit the DW Stadium for the final game of the season. After last week's elation of winning the FA Cup followed by Tuesday's defeat at Arsenal which resigned Latics to relegation, the general feeling among supporters now seems to be one of pride and determination to return to the top flight at the first time of asking.
The two sides met last at the end of 2012 when Villa were no match for Latics, goals from Ivan Ramis, Emmerson Boyce and Arouna Kone securing at 3-0 win for Roberto Martinez's team.
Team News
The last game of the season with little riding on the game can often be a difficult fixture to predict who will feature but Wigan Athletic will definitely be without long term injured Maynor Figueroa (groin), Ivan Ramis (knee), Albert Crusat (knee) and now Callum McManaman who damaged ankle ligaments in Tuesdays defeat at Arsenal.
Aston Villa will be without suspended striker Christian Benteke, the 19-goal forward has a ban to serve following his dismissal for two bookings in last weekend's defeat by Chelsea, possibly handing Darren Bent a rare start.
Right-back Matthew Lowton could return following a thigh problem while midfielder Karim El Ahmadi (also thigh) is back in contention, but defender Ciaran Clark (foot) misses out.
Head to Head
There nothing to split the sides in terms of Premier League meetings with five wins each and five draws. Sunday's game could determine who gets the slight edge on the other until Latics return to the top flight.
| | Latics Wins | Draws | Villa Wins |
| League | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| League Cup | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 5 | 5 | 8 |
Form Guide | |
| Most recent | Most recent |
| |
| v Arsenal [A] L1-4 | v Chelsea [H] L1-2 |
| v Man City [N] W0-1 | v Norwich [A] W1-2 |
| v Swansea [H] L2-3 | v Sunderland [H] W6-1 |
| v WBA [A] W2-3 | v Man Utd [A] L3-0 |
| v Tottenham [H] D2-2 | v Fulham [H] D1-1 |
| v West Ham [A] L2-0 | v Stoke [A] W1-3 |
Last Six Meetings
29/12/12 - Premier League - Villa 0 Latics 3
25/02/12 - Premier League - Latics 0 Villa 0
01/10/11 - Premier League - Villa 2 Latics 0
07/05/11 - Premier League - Villa 1 Latics 1
25/01/11 - Premier League - Latics 1 Villa 2
16/03/10 - Premier League - Latics 1 Villa 2
Match OfficialsReferee: Neil Swarbrick
Assistant Referees: Darren England & SimonBennett
4th Official: James Adcock