Source: Daily_Mail
Aston Villa 0 Wigan 2: Martinez picks apart gaps in O'Neill's masterplan
Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov knew exactly why his side were on the wrong end of one of the day's surprise results.
'The Premier League is much harder now. Even Wigan are getting better. If we want to be there we need to step up too,' was his simple message.
Villa manager Martin O'Neill has until September 1 before the transfer window shuts to find the experience necessary to shore up his squad after this shoddy display.
His decision to start Fabian Delph backfired horribly as the lad from League One found himself way out of his depth.
He was selected ahead of Steve Sidwell and Nigel Reo-Coker — the latter wandering around with a face like thunder all afternoon — and it was to prove hopelessly misguided.
'Defensively, we need someone with experience,' said O'Neill. 'Gareth Barry is a big loss. So is Martin Laursen. But we have to get on with it. It's up to me now to get the spine of the team re-enforced and get it right.'
Petrov added: 'There was a lot wrong today. We looked disorganised and they were quicker than us. It wasn't working. They wanted to win more and it was a fair result.'
It was a stunning Premier League bow from Wigan's new manager Roberto Martinez who quickly transposed to the top-flight the brand of football that made Swansea City so attractive.
Match facts
Aston Villa: (4-4-2): Friedel 7; Beye 5, (Albrighton 68min, 5) Cuellar 4, Davies 5, Shorey 5; Milner 6, Delph 5, (Sidwell 61, 6) Petrov 5, Young 6; Heskey 5, Agbonlahor 4 (Delfouneso 76). Booked: Young, Delph
Wigan Athletic: (4-5-1): Kirkland 6; Melchiot 7, Bramble 7, Scharner 7, Figueroa 6; N'Zogbia 7, (Sinclair 68, 6) Thomas 7, Brown 7, Koumas 6, (Cho 90) Gomez 7; Rodallega 8 (Scotland 90). Booked: Bramble, Figueroa
Man of the match: Hugo Rodallega
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
He correctly identified that when Ashley Young's threat is nullified, Villa struggle to find a Plan B.
Hugo Rodellega's quite magnificent 30-yard strike allowed them breathing space and Jason Koumas's second highlighted Villa's defensive problems.
Martinez said: 'We have lost big, big players but we can sell the club (to potential signings), we have the family feel. When you get the players over and they see the supporters and the chairman.
'There are many other things you can give to a player. You have to make sure he enjoys his football and that he develops.
'Make sure his family are looked after and that he has no worries and I think we look after that side at Wigan.'
