Wigan battled hard to hold Aston Villa to a 0-0 draw at Villa Park last weekend and deny them the chance to climb up to the second position on the Premiership table.

Manager Steve Bruce was all praise for his defenders who were superbly marshaled by Titus Bramble and Maynor Figueroa. The Latics held on under intense pressure from the Villa front line led by Gareth Barry and Stiliyan Petrov.

Gabriel Agbonlahor created an early chance when his cross was met by Craig Gardner, who sprayed just wide. Curtis Davies then had a free header from a Milner cross, but he was unable to keep the ball down.

Emile Heskey's head then got in the path of Gareth Barry's free-kick and deflected his shot just wide as Villa piled on the pressure.

Wigan winger Daniel de Ridder had an opportunity to prise open the game, but Villa keeper Brad Friedel was on high alert. Just before the break, De Ridder's cross produced a great header from Figueroa, but Friedel was on hand to tip it over.

Hugo Rodallega replaced De Ridder at the start of the second half as Wigan closed ranks. Zat Knight's header on 55 minutes went close to breaking the deadlock, but it rebounded after hitting the post.

Agbonlahor and Luke Young had late chances to seal the game for the home side, but Figueroa denied them with superb defending and both sides had to be satisfied with a point each.