Latics up first for Villa

17 June 2009 09:27
Aston Villa have been handed a home encounter against Wigan on the opening day of the 2009/10 Barclays Premier League campaign. Villa, who finished sixth last season having at one stage been in contention for a Champions League spot, then travel to West Ham and Liverpool. A derby date with West Midlands rivals Birmingham at St Andrew`s is scheduled for September 12 before Chelsea visit Villa Park on October 17. That is followed a week later by another derby as they face Wolves at Molineux. Villa have been given a tough test before Christmas as they have trips to champions Manchester United (December 12) and Arsenal on Boxing Day before entertaining Liverpool two days later. They host Arsenal on January 27 and Manchester United on February 10 while a home derby encounter with Wolves on March 20 is followed by a trip to Stamford Bridge a week later. The Villans play their final derby of the season when Birmingham head to Villa Park on April 24 and Martin O`Neill`s side round off their campaign with a home clash against Blackburn on May 9.

Source: Eurosport