Aston Villa will be hoping to extend their unbeaten start to the Premier League season when they come up against a Wigan side on a three-match losing streak.
Villa have been in consistent form during the early part of the campaign to take up a place in the top half of the table but manager Alex McLeish will feel it could have been even better.
They came within seconds of securing victory against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road last weekend, only for Richard Dunne to score his ninth own goal in the Premier League in stoppage time.
It was Villa's fourth consecutive draw and McLeish will now be determined to return to winning ways at home to the Latics on Saturday.McLeish has been boosted by the news that several key players are set to be fit, with on-loan Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas in contention to make his debut after recovering from a thigh problem.
Record signing Darren Bent has shaken off a groin injury, while fellow striker Emile Heskey is also in the frame after a recent hamstring setback.
Carlos Cuellar, Chris Herd and Eric Lichaj remain sidelined, but McLeish will give a late fitness test to defender James Collins who suffered an ankle knock against QPR.
Charles N'Zogbia is set to line up against his former club after sealing a switch from Wigan during the transfer window, despite making a slow start to his time at Villa and admitting he would rather play on the right wing than the left.
Wigan news
Roberto Martinez has backed the Frenchman to come good but will be hoping it does not happen this weekend, as the Latics look to maintain an impressive recent record at Villa Park.
Martinez was targeted for the managerial role at Villa over the summer but opted not to go anywhere as he felt he could take the Latics further.
Wigan's impressive start to the new season has unravelled somewhat following three straight defeats, although they have not lost four in a row since October 2008.
The 2-1 loss to Tottenham last time out left Martinez's men 15th in the table on five points, but they can draw level with Villa by winning in the Midlands.
Wigan defender Emmerson Boyce is close to a recall having recovered from the hamstring problem which has kept him out of the last two league matches.
His return would be welcome as Steve Gohouri is suspended having been sent off against Tottenham last week.
Fellow defender Antolin Alcaraz (thigh) and striker Hugo Rodallega (knee) are unavailable.
Possible starting XIs
Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Albrighton, Petrov, Delph, N'Zogbia, Agbonlahor, Bent.
Wigan: Al Habsi, Van Aanholt, Boyce, Caldwell, Figueroa, Watson, Gomez, McCarthy, Diame, Moses, Di Santo.
Source:www.skysports.com
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