Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa
Barclays Premier League
Tuesday 16^th March 2010, Kick Off 7.45pm
DW Stadium, Wigan

Tickets

Tickets are on sale from the DW Stadium ticket office up until kick off at 7.45pm with no selling restrictions in place. [Click here] for full ticket information.

Watch

Roberto Martinez video preview. [watch]
Bolton v Wigan Highlights. [watch]

Listen

Can't make the game? Then listen to full match commentary on Latics Player with your commentary team of Graham Lovett and Neill Rimmer.  If you're not already a Latics Player subscriber you can get FULL access for FREE for 14 days with our free trial offer.  [Click here] for details.

Preview

The inconsistency factor reared it's ugly head for Wigan again this weekend after Roberto Martinez's side failed to capitalise on the win over Liverpool suffering a 4-0 reverse at the Reebok Stadium.That's the 7^th time this season that Latics have followed a win with a defeat.

Aston Villa are right in the middle of a busy period of fixtures, having recently been to Wembley for the Carling Cup Final and also looking forward to another visit to Wembley in the Semi-Final of the FA Cup, Chelsea their opponents for that one.  The busy period may mean that manager Martin O'Neill will have to make full use of his squad with another crucial game against Wolves coming up this Saturday.

Team News

Wigan's only injury concerns are the absence of Captain Mario Melchiot, with Emmerson Boyce set to continue at right back, and also the long term absence of Jason Koumas.

Aston Villa are still missing long-term absentees Marlon Harewood (foot) and Nigel Reo-Coker (ankle).

Leading goalscorer Gabriel Agbonlahor could return to the starting line-up after coming off the bench in the 0-0 draw against Stoke.

The Manager

The Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez looks back on the opening day win over Aston Villa with great fondness and is well aware of the fact it will take a great deal of hard work on Tuesday night to recreate that result.

"It was a great performance at Villa Park on the opening day of the season, and we're disappointed not to have re-created that level of display throughout the campaign. On the day we controlled the game well, limited Villa to very little and created a lot going forward.

"It brings back great memories but we're at a different point now; Villa will come here ready to fight for three points and a place in the top-four, and of course we all know how important three points are for ourselves.

"It's clear that it will be an open game. The styles of the two teams will allow an exciting game of football.

"Villa have real quality in their side, especially in the wide areas and experience in many departments of the team. But we've shown great maturity at home, proved we are a solid side to play against and on the ball we can hurt many teams.

"It's all about re-creating that environment we had against Liverpool last week and making sure we react in the right manner as we always do at our football club when we get a disappointment. As long as we're all together as a club we'll get the rewards we deserve."

Head to Head