ALEX McLeish has demanded 90-minute performances rather than half measures as he prepares to welcome back five fit-again players for the weekend clash with Wigan.

Darren Bent heads the list of returnees and Jermaine Jenas could finally make his debut after injury woes.

Bent has overcome a groin strain, Jenas has recovered from a thigh problem, Emile Heskey is back from hamstring trouble, while James Collins and Ciaran Clark are also on course to be available.

The ankle injury Collins sustained in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at QPR is not as serious as first feared, while Clark will provide defensive cover after ending his knee ligament lay-off.

McLeish is calling for a strong performance level throughout the Wigan game after accepting Villa have been patchy during recent matches, including the first half at Loftus Road last weekend.

“The very good news this week is that we’ll have some more experience back for us in the shape of Heskey and Bent,” said McLeish.

“Ciaran’s going to be available, big James might make it and Jermaine has trained the last two days and is looking very sharp.

“Without doubt it makes a difference. It’s a challenging season for everybody.

“If it wasn’t for one-and-a-half minutes at the end on Sunday we’d be in fifth place. It’s a fine line.

“I know people feel we should be winning more games or playing superb football.

“We have to play and turn up like we did in the second half at the weekend and like we did in the second half at Everton and play for the entire 90 minutes.

“We started really well in the Newcastle game 4-4-2. I keep hearing we’re playing 4-5-1 but we went 4-4-2 that day.