Relegation-threatened Wigan travel to Aston Villa on Saturday for a crunch game in the bottom half.
Villa ranks bolstered by return of key players
Relegation-threatened Wigan travel to Aston Villa on Saturday for a crunch game in the bottom half.
After their 1-1 draw against Everton saw them remain in the drop zone, Wigan and Roberto Martinez will be fighting for their Premier League lives at Villa Park against a side who still harbour hopes of a top 10 finish.
With Villa handed a jolt after the hospitalisation of manager Gerard Houllier, their impassioned assault on the top half came to a halt last time out after a derby defeat at West Brom.
The reverse fixture at the DW in January saw Houllier's men edge the three points courtesy of a 2-1 win and an Ashley Young penalty, yet four months later both sides still have much to prove.
Villa news
With pressure on the team not to take their eye off the ball in the run-in, Villa can afford no further slip-ups as they try to salvage a disappointing season.
Striker Emile Heskey had handed assistant boss Gary McAllister a boost by declaring himself fit to take part after shaking off a knee injury.
With a role off the bench likely for the target man, another key player Richard Dunne has also recovered from a knock in the West Brom clash.
One man who will play no part in proceedings at Villa Park is midfielder Jean Makoun after pulling out of midweek training still suffering the effects of a dead leg.
Wigan news
In the first of three games that could define their season, Martinez must go into the Villa clash waiting on the fitness of two key players.
After picking up knocks during the Everton encounter, Charles N'Zogbia and Mohamed Diame both face late fitness tests with the Latics prepared to leave it late before confirming their side.
Martinez has called on his men to show fighting spirit ahead of a run-in that also includes vital games in the form of a six-pointer with West Ham before a final day trip to Stoke.
Possible starting XIs:
Aston Villa: Friedel, L Young, Dunne, Collins, Walker, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Downing, A Young, Bent, Agbonlahor.
Wigan: Al-Habsi, Boyce, Alcaraz, G Caldwell, Figueroa, McArthur, McCarthy, Watson, Gomez, Cleverley, Rodallega.