Wigan edge Villa win

Tuesday, 18, Apr 2006 10:24

A brace from striker Henri Camara helped Wigan to a narrow 3-2 win over Aston Villa at the JJB Stadium.

Jimmy Bullard gave the home side the lead on 24 minutes before Juan Pablo Angel equalised seven minutes into the second-half.

However, two goals inside four minutes from the Senegalese striker swung the game firmly in the Latics' favour and despite a goal from Villa defender Liam Ridgewell, Wigan hung on for all three points.

Despite eventually sharing five goals, neither side looked like finding the back of the net in the opening 20 minutes as both teams struggled to create any meaningful chances.

However, a moment of quality from the former Peterborough man lit up the match and gave Wigan the lead.

Jason Roberts' cross was half-cleared by Gary Cahill as far as Bullard, who struck a sweet volley into the top-corner.

Having all but secured their Premiership future with a 3-1 win over local rivals Birmingham at the weekend, Villa struggled to get going and it wasn't until the second period that they found a response.

Milan Baros made inroads into the Wigan defence before shifting the ball to Gabriel Agbonlahor and the substitute swung in a cross which Angel converted.

Villa were only on level-terms for three minutes though as Camara embarked on a mazy run before playing a neat one-two with Pascal Chimbonda and then firing in at the near post to score his second.

Ridgewell pulled a goal back for the visitors when he beat the offside trap and John Filan from close-range but Villa couldn't force another and Wigan took the win.