Wigan Athletic’s last Premier League game, for a while anyway, and what symbolism that it is the reverse of where it all started for Roberto Martinez as Wigan manager. Since that day Aston Villa have seen a few changes, players and managers.
They don't get much bigger than this. Forget Bramall Lane 2007and forget the Britannia Stadium 2011, if Wigan Athletic are to survive, then this will be higher than those two games in the needs of must wins.
One of the biggest games in the year’s footballing calendar, and every player will be fitting to get a place in the starting line-up. To do that, they have to show they can make a difference on the pitch against the opposition of the day.
Few would have believed it, and some still can’t but with 24 hours to go, Wigan are closing in on the biggest day in our 81 year history. Our run to the final has been a lenient one; only facing one Premier League side so far has helped.
Two days and counting to the biggest game in the club’s history, our second appearance at New Wembley and this time it is the big final. So to start the count down, let’s look at Manchester City’s trip to the final and how well they have done in this
Crunch time, they most certainly don’t get bigger than this one. Wigan need a win to stay within any hope of survival this season. Even if we did lose it would be a total disaster, so long as either Newcastle or Aston Villa also fail to win.
Crunch week? We may not be down to the wire just yet, but boy do we need to win this one. Aston Villa slipped up on Monday night away to United but they have much easier tie at home to Sunderland this weekend.
This game is already being touted by the West Ham fans as a chance to get back some revenge from Wigan Athletic. Two seasons ago Wigan made that dramatic come back to beat West Ham United 3-2 and to all but ensure their survival.
Does anyone else think this game sounds familiar? Or is it just me? Tonight Wigan will walk out and face their opponents for the FA Cup Final. This time it isn’t for Cup success we do battle for, it is for three Premier League points.
Anyone here excited? Well I am. This weekend will be Wigan's second trip to a capital Stadium in seven years, while our first trip to New Wembley. If you aren't excited, then you better start getting.
Three key battles on the pitch which could decide who get the honor of going to the Final. Three areas as with any football match will define who wins or loses here.
To start the build up to the Semi final, we are going to take a look at who they have faced on their way to the final and just what it shows about the team that we will face on Saturday evening.
You would be forgiven for thinking that after two fantastic back to back home wins, Wigan could slightly take their foot of the accelerator this weekend in their away fixture. How wrong we would be to think that.
The first of two must win games, not that all of our games between now and the end of the season aren’t must win, but the next two could tip the balance one way or the other. This weekend Latics face a canaries side who are seven points clear.
The final stretch is upon Wigan, and we face a Newcastle side which is starting to pull clear from the bottom three. A 2-1 win over Stoke in the Premier League last week sees Newcastle more or less out of reach, so a win for Wigan will be important.
FA Cup quarter final weekend it’s here. A massive, major, rather big chance that Wigan Athletic could be heading to Wembley and to the semi-finals; the problem is David Moyes Everton side who were purring last weekend as they beat Reading 3-0.
How time flies, coming into the final three months of the season 11 League games to go, Wigan face Liverpool in a home tie which could be crucial to both sides. While Wigan look for Premier League survival.
The fifth round of the FA Cup, 16 teams, 8 games and one desire; to head to Wembley. Huddersfield stand in the way of Wigan Athletic and the dream of going to Wembley.
Third from bottom and you need a win, so which team do you ask to play? How about the European Champions away? I think you ask for someone else, but then you look at their form.
Finally al the focus now is back on the foobtall, and hopefully Latics ill supply some. The lads have been growing in confidence over the month of January, and after a very impressive second half against Stoke City where we came back draw.
Wigan have a good record against Stoke City. We haven't lost against the midlands team in the past seven matches in the Premier League, winning two of them and drawing the other five. So hopefully Latics can continue that run and pick up some points.
The fourth round of the FA Cup, last season Robert Martinez’s men lost to banana skin Swindon Town in the third round, and all hopes of a Wembley dream were lost.
On a snowy January day, I now sit and write a for a match that could be pivotal in Wigan's forthcoming season. We are now just above the drop zone on goal difference, and Aston Villa could be ready to pounce on any slip ups we make.
This game couldn't be less wanted than a hole in the head. We need league points, not FA Cup games where player get tired and could get injured. Yet we have no choice, and the best that the team...
There is group of fixtures now for Latics which on paper are winnable. This is the first, an away day trip to Fulham. Last time round we were on the wrong end of a 2-1 defeat, this time we must hope for better.
