Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young maintained the Aston Villa resurgence with the second-half goals that saw off battling Wigan tonight.

Gerard Houllier's side pulled themselves further away from the Barclays Premier League relegation zone as they followed up last weekend's uplifting win over Manchester City in impressive fashion at the DW Stadium.

James McCarthy marked his return from injury by pulling one back as Villa finished in nervy fashion but the visitors hung on to leave Wigan, with just one win in nine, in trouble in the bottom three.

Wigan looked composed and threatening for large spells but manager Roberto Martinez is unable to transform his team's fortunes by spending £24million on one player like Villa appear to have done by signing Darren Bent.

Bent did not add to his debut goal but his arrival appears to have lifted the midlands club, who are now six points above the drop zone.

Villa manager Houllier chose to change the side that overcame City by making three changes and handing debuts to £6million new signing Jean Makoun and 19-year-old defender Nathan Baker.

Wigan left Mohamed Diame, at the centre of controversy this week after remarks about the town of Wigan were taken out of context, on the bench while defenders Gary Caldwell and Antolin Alcaraz were suspended and injured respectively.

Wigan had the first opportunity when Franco Di Santo headed wide from a Charles N'Zogbia cross.

Villa then began to assert themselves and Bent brilliantly controlled a long ball and pulled back inside the makeshift defender Steven Caldwell only to scuff his shot.

Ali Al Habsi then produced two fine point-blank saves in quick succession to deny Stewart Downing and Bent after a pass from Agbonlahor had opened up the defence.

In a lively opening Wigan responded with N'Zogbia setting up Hugo Rodallega but the Colombian's shot was deflected and Brad Friedel parried.

N'Zogbia also went close after a fine run but his shot dipped over.

Bent claimed he had been tripped by Steven Gohouri as he chased a James Collins pass but referee Jon Moss saw nothing untoward.

McCarthy showed brilliant skill on the edge of the area to clip the ball over Collins and set up Rodallega but his shot appeared to be deflected over, even though Moss gave a goalkick.