In a game that started off very ominously for Wigan, they showed grit and passion to grind out a well earned draw.

Latics were under the cosh from the off and very rarely got hold of the ball for the first 15 minutes.

But as the half wore on Wigan deservedly went ahead, with Heskey guiding home a shot from Lee McCulloch.

The Villa keeper had a whinge at the referee because he ran into Matt Jackson and he thought that was a foul, but the referee rightfully gave the goal (see refs do get things right).

Wigan continued to dominate straight after the goal until a very reckless challenge from Valencia gave the ref no alternative but to send him off. This was another decision the officials got right in this match.

It didn’t go unnoticed that they weren’t as keen to book the Villa players. Maloney, Gardner, Laursen and Berger all should have seen yellows in the first half, but instead they were saved for the Wigan players in the second half.

The second half saw the onslaught, the Latics were comfortable penned back in their final third for long periods, but to their credit, once Fitz Hall was taken off and replaced by Josip Skoko they defended valiantly.

Unfortunately this was too late as 2 minutes earlier the (two yards) OFFSIDE Berger received the ball and crossed for Agbonlahor to luckily bungle the ball just over the line before Baines could clear it.

It was a very close call but the linesman seemed to have no doubt. Jewell yet again looks at the ref in despair.

It was noted that this was the same linesman that couldn’t see that Flamini was also two yards offside at the Emirates back in February when Arsenal equalised.

As the half wore on, it was incredible that Villa didn’t get heir winner as wave after wave of attacks were thwarted by Wigan's 9 man defence. Filan needs a special mention for the outstanding world class saves that he made.

All in all Wigan deserved their point and look forward to hosting Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.