Latics 1-0 Villarreal

Wigan Athletic took on Champions League qualifiers, La Liga side Villarreal in their final warm-up game before the big kick-off next Saturday.

Roberto Martinez picked a strong starting eleven, though Hugo Rodallega and Antolin Alcaraz were both rested following their Copa America exploits, the Latics came out trumps winning the game 1-0 with a Victor Moses strike just before the half-time whistle.

A good work out for both sides, Ali Al-Habsi made some good saves in the first half, former Latics target Marco Ruben showing great quality and proving to be a handful, at the other end the home attack looked sharp and created a few problems of their own.

The goal, when it came was the product of a good move with Franco Di Santo playing a sweet ball to Victor Moses who hit his shot into the far corner of the net from 16 yards.

The second half saw the introduction of Conor Sammon and Chris Kirkland and also an injury to key man James McCarthy, following a heavy challenge, reminiscent of the one made by Fabrice Muamba on McCarthy last season, the young Scot fell to the floor clutching his ankle, after lengthy treatment he was led from the field, no word on the extent of damage, so fingers crossed it won`t be a serious injury.

New signing David Jones and trialist Nouha Dicko both made cameo appearances late in the game, Victor Moses won the plaudits but Ben Watson deserves special mention for a fabulous performance in the Latics midfield.


Teams
Latics: Al Habsi (Kirkland 45), McCarthy, Caldwell, Di Santo (Sammon 45), Watson (Thomas 62), Moses, Gomez (Dicko 84), Boyce (Stam 72), Diame (Jones 62), Lopez, Figueroa

Subs: Pollitt

Villarreal: Lopez, Rodriguez, Nilmar, Marco Ruben, Catala, Mubarek, Gerard, Marcos Gullon, Marcos Senna, Mano, Pablo

Subs: Oriol, Musacchio, Cani, Zapata, Gaspar, Camunas, Valero, Soriano, Rossi, Dervitebr>