Aston Villa v Wigan: Preview

Aston Villa will host fellow Premiership strugglers Wigan Athletic in a game that I’m sure both Paul Lambert and Roberto Martinez would have earmarked as a game they could pick up maximum points.

We all know how bad Villa’s Christmas has been but it has hardly been a party for the Latics who have only managed a single point in the previous six outings.

In the thirteen games that Wigan have conceded first they have gone on to lose twelve so this will be a major factor in Lamberts plans today’ I’m sure!

Team News

Aston Villa: Paul Lambert will be short of NINE first team players today.

Darren Bent (hamstring), Gabby Agbonlahor (hip), Ron Vlaar (calf), Andreas Weimann (calf) and former Latics player Charles N’Zogbia (knee) all remain doubts.

Nathan Baker joined that casualty list after limping off against Spurs with a hamstring problem.

Both Richard Dunne (groin) and Gary Gardner (knee) are long-term injuries while Fabian Delph is suspended after collecting five yellow cards.

Wigan Athletic: Roberto Martinez also has his fair share of injuries missing five players.

Adrian Lopez (hamstring), Antolin Alcaraz (hamstring), Ben Watson (broken leg), Ryo Miyaichi (ankle) and Albert Crusat (knee) are all ruled out

Match Statistics

• Villa’s goal difference of -21 is the worst in the Premier League currently.
• Wigan have won just one of the last eight Premier League games against Villa (W1 D3 L4).
• Wigan have conceded more penalties than any other team this season (six) but Villa are one of five teams yet to win one.