Martinez can't wait to make managerial start for the club

Roberto Martinez will make his managerial bow for Latics against Aston Villa on August 15 - and he says he can't wait!

Latics have never lost at Villa Park in four previous Barclays Premier League visits and Martinez is keen to keep up that record.

"I just can't wait to get started," said the Spaniard, "and to begin at one of the biggest grounds in the country against a team like Aston Villa is a massive challenge and should be exactly the motivation everyone needs."



Latics have a tough start, but then would there ever be anything else in the Barclays Premier League?

The Villa game is followed by back-to-back home games against newly promoted Wolves on Tuesday 18 and champions Manchester United on 22, then games coming thick and fast at Everton, against West Ham United at home and a trip to The Emirates to play Arsenal.

"Yes, it's a tough start," says Roberto, "but we won't be phased by any game. We will be prepared and go into every match with a plan and a belief that we can take something from it.

"I am just so excited to get started again and when you see the fixtures it gives you a tremendous buzz of excitement."

Latics goalkeeper Chris Kirkland says he is also looking forward to it all.

"It'll be a new era for the club," he says, "but I'm personally looking forward to it and I'm sure the rest of the lads are.

"The players are all enjoying a well deserved rest at the minute we'll get back to work next month, and be ready for August 15th!"

Wigan Athletic Fixtures 2009-10

Wed	Aug 12			Carling Cup 1
Sat	Aug 15	Aston Villa	A
Tue	Aug 18	Wolves	H
Sat	Aug 22	Man Utd	H
Wed	Aug 26			Carling Cup 2
Sat	Aug 29	Everton	A
Sat	Sep 05			INTERNATIONAL WEEKEND
Sat	Sep 12	West Ham	H
Sat	Sep 19	Arsenal	A
Wed	Sep 23			Carling Cup 3
Sat	Sep 26	Chelsea	H
Sat	Oct 03	Hull City	A
Sat	Oct 10			INTERNATIONAL WEEKEND
Sat	Oct 17	Man City	H
Sat	Oct 24	Burnley	A
Wed	Oct 28			Carling Cup 4
Sat	Oct 31	Portsmouth	A
Sat	Nov 07	Fulham	H	F.A. Cup 1
Sat	Nov 14			INTERNATIONAL PLAY OFFS
Sat	Nov 21	Tottenham	A
Sat	Nov-28	Sunderland	H	F.A. Cup 2
Wed	Dec 02			Carling Cup 5
Sat	Dec 05	Birmingham	H
Sat	Dec 12	Stoke City	A
Wed	Dec 16	Liverpool	A
Sat	Dec 19	Bolton	H
Sat	Dec 26	Blackburn	H
Mon	Dec 28	Man Utd	A
Sat	Jan 02			F.A . Cup 3
Wed	Jan 06			Carling Cup Semi-Final (1)
Sat	Jan 09	Aston Villa	H
Sat	Jan 16	Wolves	A
Wed	Jan 20			Carling Cup Semi-Final (2)
Sat	Jan 23			F.A. Cup 4
Wed	Jan 27	Blackburn	A
Sat	Jan 30	Everton	H
Sat	Feb 06	Sunderland	A
Tue	Feb 09	Stoke City	H
Sat	Feb 13			F.A. Cup 5
Sat	Feb 20	Tottenham	H
Sat	Feb 27	Birmingham	A
Sun	Feb 28			Carling Cup Final
Sat	Mar 06	Liverpool	H	F.A. Cup 6
Sat	Mar 13	Bolton	A
Sat	Mar 20	Burnley	H
Sat	Mar 27	Man City	A
Sat	Apr 03	Fulham	A
Sat	Apr 10	Portsmouth	H	F.A. Cup Semi-Final
Sat	Apr 17	Arsenal	H
Sat	Apr 24	West Ham	A
Sat	May 01	Hull City	H
Sun	May 09	Chelsea	A
Sat	May 15			F.A. Cup Final

Copyright (c) and Database Right 2009 The Football Association Premier League Ltd / The Football League Ltd. All rights reserved.  Compiled in association with Atos Origin.  Fixtures are subject to change.