Martin O'Neill warning over fired-up Wigan

May 2 2008 By Bill Howell

MARTIN O'Neill has warned Villa to beware a "fired-up" Wigan team who still need two points to make sure of their Premier League future.

Villa are on song with 10 points from four games and another win will lift them into fifth place above Everton.

But O'Neill is mindful of the job Steve Bruce has performed and the grit he has ingrained in his side since November.

Bruce took charge of the struggling club who had managed to accrue just eight points from their opening 14 matches.

He has since seen them win seven, draw eight and lose seven of his 22 league games to see them lifted to virtual safety in 14th position.

O'Neill said: "I think they are really strong. I think they are very resilient.

"I have always found the games really tough against them in the three matches we have played in my time here.

"Steve Bruce has done remarkably well, getting the situation turned around.

"I know how difficult it is going into a club, but he went in there halfway through a season and not really knowing the players and needing to get things up and running.

"And he has done super.

"Their players will be fired-up for it. They are not yet completely out of the woods, although they are in a pretty decent position and a lot of things would have to go against them for it to happen.

"They have done pretty excellent all round."

Wigan have drawn their last three games against Reading, Tottenham and Chelsea after a massive home win against Blues.