Premier League: Wigan 0 Aston Villa 0

Wigan remain bottom of the English Premier League after failing to break down a resolute Aston Villa defence in their 0-0 draw on Saturday.

Wigan dominated possession throughout but for all their endeavour they could not summon a goal at DW Stadium that would have lifted them out of the relegation zone.

Villa are now with just one win from their last seven league games leading the visiting fans to jeer manager Alex McLeish, and in a further blow for the Scotsman striker Darren Bent was stretchered off late on after a tackle from Antolin Alcaraz.

In the 8th minute Wigan had a great chance to take the lead after a bright start but a mix-up between James McCarthy and Emerson Boyce wasted the opportunity.

A square ball to Franco Di Santo was just behind the Argentinian, with McCarthy and Boyce lurking at the back post for a chance to smash home, but the Wigan pair ran straight into each other.

Villa were slow to get going but in the 15th minute they forced a superb stop from Ali Al-Habsi.

James Collins picked out Robbie Keane in the centre circle and the Irishman took down the ball expertly before playing a pinpoint pass to Bent with the outside of his boot.

The England striker was in one-on-one and hit it first-time to the left of Al-Habsi but the Wigan ‘keeper stuck out an arm to knock it clear for a corner.

Wigan dominated the first-half in terms of possession and looked like the only side looking to win the game, though it was Villa who had carved open the best chance of the opening 45 minutes.

Villa started the second half at an electric pace and almost caught Wigan off guard with a Carlos Cuellar header.

Wigan were still the better of the two sides, though, and after Roberto Martinez introduced Hugo Rodallega, Villa appeared to shut up shop looking for a point.

The home side were passing patiently around Villa’s penalty area before Rodallega tried to take matters into his own hands with a curling effort from the edge of the box, though it flew despairingly over.

Substitute Emile Heskey went close for Villa late on, but despite the seven minutes of added time, neither side could break the deadlock and were forced to settle for a point.