Preview: Aston Villa vs. Wigan Athletic

Aston Villa play Wigan Athletic on Saturday hoping to return to form after two heavy defeats to Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

Villa manager Paul Lambert has seen his side concede 12 goals in two Premier League games and the nature of the last two losses is likely to lead to alterations to his starting lineup.

Lambert has stated that his team need to beat Wigan and that could lead to a start for creative midfielder Stephen Ireland.

Roberto Martinez has witnessed his Wigan Athletic side lose five of their last six matches, but Villa's problems in defence could lead to the Latics boss instructing his team to attack at Villa Park.

Striker Franco Di Santo was left out of the starting lineup for Wigan's 2-1 defeat to Everton on Boxing Day but he could return in place of Shaun Maloney.

Recent form

Aston Villa: WDDWLL

Wigan Athletic: LLDLLL

Possible starting lineups

Aston Villa: Guzan; Clark, Bennett, Baker, Lowton; El Ahmadi, Westwood, Delph, Herd, Holman; Benteke

Wigan Athletic: Al Habsi; Caldwell, Boyce, Stam, Figueroa; McCarthy, Jones, McArthur, Beausejour; Kone, Di Santo

Sports Mole says: 1-1