Cant Score, Wont Score – Latics 1-2 Villa

The goal scoring return of James McCarthy couldn`t stop Wigan Athletic from suffering another home defeat last night as Aston Villa ran out 2-1 winners in this bottom of the table clash.

It was the same old story as the Latics started brightly enough and created chances but just couldn`t finish them off, Hugo Rodallega missing two, Franco Di Santo going close with a header. Captain for the night Charles N`Zogbia also went close with a dipping left footed strike.

Villa new boy Darren Bent had two chances for the visitors but they were comfortably held by Al-Habsi, the first half then lively enough with Latics just shading the play but neither side really looked like breaking the deadlock.

All that changed within four minutes of the break, Latics were on the attack, Villa broke quickly and won a corner, the corner was swung over onto the head of Collins who`s point blank header was wonderfully saved by Al-Habsi, unfortunately Villa striker Agbonlahor was on hand to head home from a yard out.

The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the Latics and 12 minutes later Martinez`s side went further behind. Ashley Young was going nowhere close to the deadball line, Hendry Thomas attempted to tackle the Villa skipper and just upended him, penalty awarded and Young dusted himself down to smash the ball home from 12 yards.

Martinez sent on Stam for the tiring Boyce and Watson for Thomas as the Latics tried to get back into the game, chances were created but were not taken, until on 80 minutes McCarthy struck home from 20 yards, his strike taking a deflection on its way into the back of the net.

Rodallega went close a minute later when his 18 yard strike whistled inches past the post, Di Santo was unlucky with a header but despite creating 19 chances during the game only one was converted emphasising the main problem with the side, scoring goals.