Villa open against Latics

Aston Villa will kick off the new 2009-10 Premier League campaign against Roberto Martinez's Wigan Athletic on August 15. Villa, who will be looking to once again challenge for European football, will be new Latics boss Martinez's first opponents on the opening day of the season. Martin O'Neill's side then tackle the likes of West Ham, Liverpool and Fulham in what could be a tricky opening month for the Midlands outfit. Villa fans have four new mouth-watering fixtures following Wolves and Birmingham City's promotion to the Premier League. They do not have to wait long for their first derby match with Birmingham making the short trip to Aston on September 12. Villa's first game against Wolves comes on October 24 while their first game against Champions Manchester United is at Old Trafford on December 12. Aston Villa Fixtures 2009-2010August15 Wigan (H) 18 West Ham (A) 22 Liverpool (A) 29 Fulham (H) September12 Birmingham (A) 19 Portsmouth (H) 26 Blackburn (A) October3 Man City (H) 17 Chelsea (H) 24 Wolverhampton (A) 31 Everton (A) November7 Bolton (H) 21 Burnley (A) 28 Tottenham (H) December5 Hull (H) 12 Man Utd (A) 15 Sunderland (A) 19 Stoke (H) 26 Arsenal (A) 28 Liverpool (H) January9 Wigan (A) 16 West Ham (H) 27 Arsenal (H) 30 Fulham (A) February6 Tottenham (A) 10 Man Utd (H) 20 Burnley (H) 27 Hull (A) March6 Sunderland (H) 13 Stoke (A) 20 Wolverhampton (H) 27 Chelsea (A) April3 Bolton (A) 10 Everton (H) 17 Portsmouth (A) 24 Birmingham (H) May1 Man City (A) 9 Blackburn (H)