Striker Gabriel Agbonlahor inspired Aston Villa to their first ever home Barclays Premier League win over Wigan.

Agbonlahor scored his fourth league goal of the campaign to break the deadlock before the break and created the second for Darren Bent.

Only a series of fine saves by Wigan keeper Ali Al Habsi prevented Villa - still unbeaten in the league this season - from winning by a more emphatic margin.

Villa boss Alex McLeish had called for his side's creative players to step up to the mark - and they answered his call.

Agbonlahor, in particular, was back to his best and demonstrated the form which earned him his breakthrough at England level.

Bent also looked sharp after his injury lay-off, midfielder Barry Bannan always threatened to unlock the Wigan defence and Stephen Warnock impressed at left-back.

Wigan only threatened after the introduction of former Villa midfielder Shaun Maloney in the final quarter of the game and have now suffered four successive league defeats.

Villa were the first to threaten with Agbonlahor making a powerful run but his eventual shot was deflected into the hands of Al Habsi.

A deep ball into the Wigan box from Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov was headed by Bent into the path of the lively Agbonlahor but he was unable to keep his shot down.

Bent seized on a mistake by Mohamed Diame and teed up Stephen Ireland whose shot was deflected wide in a promising start by the home side.

Wigan skipper Gary Caldwell became the first player to be booked after 19 minutes after appearing to catch Agbonlahor with an below.

Bent connected with the resulting free-kick from Bannan but he could not keep his header down.

Bent was looking sharp and it needed a fine save from Al Habsi to keep Villa on level terms.

Bannan's pass over the Wigan defence was chested down by Bent, but Al Habsi blocked his powerful close range volley.