Villa’s draw with Everton last weekend means the race for fifth place is still well and truly on with Martin O’Neill’s in an excellent position. They may be trailing Everton; they may have missed the opportunity to grab that only European place by the neck but their two remaining fixtures are, on paper, considerably easier than Everton’s and they’d really fancy their chances in this encounter with Wigan.

Their unbeaten run now stretches to four games with the Villans taking 10 points from a possible 12. It’s an impressive standard, matched only by Chelsea out of those in the top five. They have scored the most goals in their last four games; 17 compared to 6 for Chelsea and Man United, 8 for Liverpool, 10 for Arsenal and a meagre 4 for their opponents here, Wigan.

Goals may not be Wigan’s forte but this hasn’t stopped the points coming. Three draws and a win at home to Birmingham also sees the Latics unbeaten in their last four. More importantly though, this positive spell has seen them gradually move up the table and clear of the drop zone. Although numerically it is still possible for them to endure relegation, it is highly unlikely.

A Short Sweet History

Out of the two prior league meetings involving these teams at Villa Park, Wigan have never left empty handed. It ended 1-1 last April and 2-0 to Wigan back in October 2005 although Henri Camara is the only player that can still be seen in a Wigan shirt today from that starting XI twenty months ago.

The pair’s earlier clash this season produced Villa’s first and only league win over Wigan; Agbonlahor and Davies providing the firepower after unlikely scorer Titus Bramble had given the home side the lead. Agbonlahor has actually netted in his last two games against the Latics and is currently four for four goals for games.

Going for Goals

But Agbonlahor is just one of Villa’s potential goal predators. His current tally is 11 while team mates Ashley Young is on 8 and John Carew is up to 13, going 4 goals from 3 games. Wigan beware!

Yes, Wigan are going to need to be on red alert in this one but will also have to turn some much needed attention to events down the other end of the pitch. While Villa players are literally queuing up to fill the net, complete goal scoring duty has fallen into Emile Heskey’s lap. Out of the five goals scored in Wigan’s last nine games, Heskey has come up three of them.

Pundit’s Pick: Villa’s firepower proves too much for Wigan (home win). Do you agree with this for your Premier 10 prediction? Play Now>>