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Tickets
Tickets for the game are available up until kick off at 3.00pm
Watch
See Robert Marinez's pre match interview. [watch]
See Vladimir Stojkovic's first interview. [watch]
Listen
Can't make the game, catch full match commentary on Latics Player.Latics Player is available now in the January Sales for just £17.99, this will take you right through to the 6th August 2010. [Click here] to subscribe today.
Preview
The optimistic Latics fan will look to the opening day of the season when Latics beat Villa 2-0 at Villa Park and will be expecting Latics first double of the season. The more reserved fan may look to the corresponding fixture last season and remember Villa's 4-0 win at the DW Stadium. Following the defeat to Latics on the opening day, Villa have turned this campaign into a serious challenge for the top 4, while Wigan, filled with so much hope that day, have been dogged by inconsistency. Saturday's meeting is the 10th league meeting between the two sides and Latics have the upper hand as far as history goes having won four to Villa's two, there have been three draws.
Manager Roberto Martine on Villa
"Villa are in a great moment right now, and are still in both the FA and League Cup competitions.
"In the league they've been flying high, getting some excellent results, and everyone is talking about them having a great opportunity to get into the top-four, which is such a huge achievement in the Premier League.
"It's going to be a great occasion, a great game and we'll have to be at our best. Also, playing at home we'll have to take that responsibility and with the warmth of our fans we'll be ready for the game.
"They've got some outstanding individuals, players who can win a game with one single action and that's why concentration is going to be absolutely vital. At the back they're very strong with plenty of experience and I think as a team they are very well balanced.
"So it's important that we keep them very quiet, but we also need to be ourselves, perform at our best and make sure we dictate the play. This is the moment to collect all the good things we've done from the first-half of the campaign, put them together and show that consistency that is needed if we want to keep progressing.
Team News
Roberto Martinez's only inury concern is with Mohamed Diame who continues with his recovery from the knee injury he sustained against Liverpool. Other that that, his squad has a clean bill of health. He also now has the services of Serbian international 'keeper Vladimir Stojkovic who arrived on loan from Sporting Lisbon this week.
Aston Villa look set to welcome back James Milner to the side, after he looks to have shook off a foot injury after missing last weekend's FA Cup match against Blackburn. Manager Martin O'Neill says that Luke Young's withdrawal from training this week was only 'precautionary' after he went over on his ankle.
Head to Head
| |
Wigan Wins |
Draws |
Villa Wins |
| League |
4 |
3 |
2 |
| League Cup |
0 |
0 |
3 |
| Total |
4 |
3 |
5 |
Last Five Meetings15/08/09 -
Premier League - Aston Villa 0 Latics 2
31/01/09 -
Premier League - Aston Villa 0 Latics 0
26/10/08 -
Premier League - Latics 0 Aston Villa 4
03/05/08 -
Premier League - Aston Villa 0 Latics 2
29/12/07 -
Premier League - Latics 1 Aston Villa 2
Last League Line Ups
Wigan (v Man U) (a) 30/12/09: Kirkland (Pollitt, 45), Bramble, Scharner, Melchiot, Boyce, Figueroa, N'Zogbia (Sinclair, 68), Cho, Gomez, Thomas (Edman, 71), Rodallega.
Subs not used: Koumas, Amaya, Scotland, McCarthy.
Aston Villa (v Liverpool) (h) 29/12/09: Friedel, Warnock, Cuellar, Dunne, Luke Young, Downing (Sidwell, 80), Reo-Coker (Albrighton, 72), Milner, Petrov, Agbonlahor, Carew.
Subs not used: Guzan, Delph, Delfouneso, Beye, Collins.
Last 6 Form Guide: (League)
Wigan: DLDLWL = 5 points
Aston Villa: LLWWWW = 12 points
Top ScorersWigan: Hugo Rodallega 7 (league 7)
Aston Villa: Gabriel Agbonlahor 8 (league 8)
Match OfficialsReferee:Stuart Attwell
Assistant Referees:Mo Matadar & Richard West
4th Official: Mike Dean
BettingVisit
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Next Match
Wolves v Wigan AthleticBarclays Premier League
Molineux, Wolverhampton
Saturday 16
th January 2009
Kick Off 3.00pm
