Wigan vs Aston Villa Betting tips

Wigan and Aston Villa have only locked horns twice in the Premiership, which was last season when the then newly promoted Latics did the double over their Midlands-based rivals. However, The Villans were dire for the most part last term and have enjoyed a new lease of life since Martin O'Neill took hold of the reigns at Villa Park, and things are looking up for those in claret and blue. Although it's unwise to get too carried away with pre-Christmas standings in the Premiership, Villa are going great guns in fourth place, suffering defeat in just one of their dozen league matches played. for their part Wigan have picked themselves up following a tardy start to the campaign. After feeling the wrath of Man Utd on October 14 Paul Jewel's men have put their best boots forward and one their last four on the bounce. Despite the departure of some quality players during the summer, including the defection of strikers David Connolly and Jason Roberts, Jewell has played an astute hand in the transfer market and the new arrivals have made a seamless transition to life at the JJB. Indeed, many thought that The Latics would miss Roberts in a major way, but even without his contribution Wigan have been scoring for fun, and only the 'big four' have scored more goals at home so far this season. Emile Heskey has settled in well and is playing better than he has in a long time, while Henri Camara and Lee McCulloch are both in good form. O'Neill, meanwhile, has worked wonders considering that he has only brought in three new players since landing the top job with Aston Villa - he has revitalised a group of players that looked thoroughly disjointed and disinterested last season. Milan Baros remains out of favour at Villa Park - as he was with O'Neill's predecessor, David O'Leary - but the manager has countered his side's attacking shortfall by bringing in Chris Sutton on a free from Birmingham. Although now 33 years of age, Sutton remains a potent finisher and brings solid top-flight experience to the table. Currently fourth in the Premiership, an amazing achievement in itself considering their plight last term, all Aston Villa need to do is improve their away form. In six away fixtures they have only lost once, but they've only scored five times, an average of under a goal a game. They seem to be playing for a point on their travels. If they take this approach against an in-form Wigan side, it may prove their undoing, as The Latics are a tough team to contain. Jewel's charges invariably start their matches brightly and if Villa play deep and try and absorb the pressure, this will play into the home team's hands as they will build up momentum and confidence. Villa will be firmly on the back foot. Whatever the outcome of the game, I can envisage Wigan going into the interval ahead given they way they start their matches at the JJB Stadium - seven of the ten goals they have scored at home during the current campaign have been scored in the first half. As such, at 12/5 with sportingsodds, my advice is top opt for Wigan on the half-time result market. Verdict - 1.25pts Wigan in the half-time result market @ 12/5 (sportingsodds)