Gabriel Agbonlahor is expected to be back for Villa tonight(credit:
wikipedia)
Gabriel Agbonlahor set to return for Villa at DW Stadium
Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill is set to welcome striker Gabriel Agbonlahor into the Villa starting XI for tonight’s trip to Wigan.
The England hopeful was a second-half substitute against Stoke City at the weekend, and should return to partner John Carew in attack this evening, at the expense of Emile Heskey.
Ashley Young, James Milner and Stewart Downing will all support that duo from midfield, with Stilyan Petrov providing the security for a settled back four of Carlos Cuellar, Richard Dunne, James Collins and Stephen Warnock.
Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez will attempt to pick his side up from a disappointing 4-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers at the weekend.
Gary Caldwell had a poor game on Saturday, but is expected to keep his place in the Latics defence, alongside Titus Bramble, Emerson Boyce and Maynor Figueroa, since Mario Melchiot is still struggling with a thigh injury.
In midfield, Charles N’Zogbia will be Wigan’s main goal threat, with Paul Scharner and Mohamed Diame providing the steel.
Roberto Martinez is likely to opt for Marcelo Moreno in attack, alongside Hugo Rodallega in attack, with the Latics going for a more attacking formation than that which floundered at Bolton.
Expected Starting XIs
Aston Villa: Friedel – Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Warnock – Petrov, Young, Milner, Downing – Agbonlahor, Carew
Wigan: Kirkland – Caldwell, Bramble, Boyce, Fugueroa – N’Zogbia, Diame, Scharner, McCarthy – Rodallega, Moreno
Match Odds (from Ladbrokes.com)
Wigan – 5/2
Aston Villa – 11/10