ASTON Villa defeated Wigan Athletic 2-1 in the Barclays Premier League fixture at JJB Stadium, with Gabriel Agbonlahor scoring the winning goal to cap a fine fightback by Martin O'Neill's men.
Agbonlahor struck with 20 minutes to play after Curtis Davies had cancelled out Titus Bramble's opener for Wigan.
Villa had to dig deep to record their first win in six matches while Wigan's three-match unbeaten run ground to a halt, the result sending Steve Bruce's team back into the relegation zone.
Wigan almost made the perfect start when Ryan Taylor's corner ran to Marcus Bent, but the striker's touch was poor and Villa goalkeer Scott Carson saved easily.
Villa were then dealt a blow when Norway striker John Carew limped off, replaced by Luke Moore,
and Wigan were clearly the better side.
The latics were snapping into their tackles with relish, and they looked set to take the lead when Antoine Sibierski met Antonio Valencia's cross - but the French midfielder missed his kick.
O'Neill's side were struggling to impose themselves, and Olof Mellberg had to block bravely to deny Taylor when he powered Bent's knockdown towards goal.
Wigan finally claimed the goal their play deserved, in the 28th minute, when Bramble scored his first goal since August 2006, rising unchallenged to power the ball from Taylor's corner past Carson.
O'Neill's half-time teamtalk worked wonders, and Villa tore into the Latics after the break.
The visitors were soon level, with Davies, making his first premiership start for Villa, heading home from Gareth Barry's corner that had flashed across the penalty area.
The momentum was all with the visitors now, and they stole the points with a flowing move worthy of winning any match.
Nigel Reo-Coker sprayed a pass to Moore, who picked out Ashley Young. The winger's cross picked out Agbonlahor, and the striker headed home off the underside of the crossbar to record his seventh goal of the season.
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