Aston Villa 3 Wigan 2 - Report and pictures

The Iceland international slid in to score in the fourth minute of time added on as Villa snatched three points from a thoroughly entertaining game.

James Chester had earlier nodded Villa in front, before goals from Nick Powell and Callum Connolly put Wigan in front early in the second period.

But Chey Dunkley put through his own net to level matters, with Bjarnason then netting at the death.

Analysis

The result - and the manner of it - means the mood of optimism at Villa Park after a remarkable summer continues to grow.

A much changed team delivered a performance which, while a long way from perfect, nevertheless delivered hope for the months ahead.

Villa were almost left to rue a shaky defensive performance, which included a shaky debut from goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, whose mix-up with Mile Jedinak led to Powell’s leveller.

By contrast, midfielder John McGinn shone on his Villa Park bow, setting up two goals in an all-action performance.

Boss Steve Bruce is typically reluctant to conduct major surgery on a winning team so the six changes to the line-up which won 3-1 at Hull on Monday came as a significant surprise.

Debuts were handed to Nyland and McGinn, while there was also a return for Axel Tuanzebe at the back.

Mile Jedinak was also named in defence, while Bruce opted to field Bjarnason and Andre Green at the expense of Glenn Whelan and Albert Adomah respectively.

Grealish was one of the five players to remain in the line-up, along with Ahmed Elmohamady, Alan Hutton, Jonathan Kodjia and skipper James Chester.

A Nick Powell shot which flew wide of goal in the opening 30 seconds set the tone to a lively opening in which Wigan showed a willingness to attack their hosts.

Michael Jacobs also thrashed an effort off target, while good pressing from the visitors almost led to a costly mix-up between Jedinak and new man Nyland. Miscommunication between the Norwegian and his centre-back saw his clearance charged down and it needed an alert Tuanzebe to clear the danger.

But Villa will also looking lively and McGinn made an early impression when he charged down an attempted clearance and then whipped in a low cross which Walton found too hot t handle.

The Scotland international would firmly make his mark on 13 minutes when he laid on the opener for Chester.

Callum Connolly dragged down Grealish 25 yards out on the left and Chester was quicker than Walton to McGinn’s whipped free-kick, sending a header flying into the top corner.

McGinn was enjoying an impressive first outing at Villa Park and came close to doubling the home side’s advantage with a low left-footed shot, which Walton kept out diving to his left.

But Wigan were still creating chance and spurned three good openings before eventually equalising.

First Antonee Robinson shot weakly straight at Nyland after a superbly disguised pass from Powell had set him free on the left of the box.

Villa were indebted to Elmohamady for being in the right place at the right time to head a Powell header off the line after Nyland had come and got nowhere near a corner.

Cedric Kipre then shot wildly over from a good position after Villa again failed to clear the lines.

Even so Wigan’s goal, when it did arrive, was horrible from Villa’s perspective.

Blame could be apportioned to both Jedinak and Nyland. Certainly, the defender’s pass lacked pace, yet the keeper also seemed slow to react to the impending danger and though he beat Powell to the ball, the Latics made enough ground to close down the clearance, which went spinning into the net.

Kodjia should have restored Villa’s advantage early in the second half but could only send McGinn’s deep cross well over the bar.

Instead it was Wigan who went in front, ten minutes after the restart. Powell was the creator this time, whipping in a cross which Connolly headed past Nyland from six yards out.

Villa needed a response and found one to level in scrappy fashion. McGinn was again involved, his left-footed corner flicking off a defender and finally Dunkley before nestling in the net.

Parity restored, Villa were swiftly back on the attack, with Jedinak sending another fine McGinn delivery wide of goal.

Walton was tested again by a low shot, this time from Green, though Wigan could have re-taken the lead when Josh Windass, who had replaced the excellent Powell, headed over at the far post.

McGinn was at the heart of everything and almost delivered a debut goal when he shot wide, having charged down Kipre’s clearance.

The latter was then required to make a perfectly-timed challenge as Villa substitute Rushian Hepburn-Murphy threatened to run through on goal.

Dunkley headed over for Wigan as both teams hunted a winner.

Just when the game looked destined for a draw, Villa got it when Bjarnason slid in to convert Hourihane’s cross.

Key Moments

13 GOAL James Chester heads Villa in front.

41 GOAL Wigan level through Nick Powell after a calamitous mix-up between Mile Jedinak and Orjan Nyland

55 GOAL Callum Connolly heads the visitors in front.

63 GOAL Villa are back level after Chey Dunkley deflects John McGinn’s corner into his own net.

90+4 GOAL Bjarnason snatches it at the death, sliding in to convert Hourihane’s cross.

Teams

Villa (4-4-1-1): Nyland, Tuanzebe (Adomah 65), Chester, Jedinak, Hutton, Elmohamady, Bjarnason, McGinn, Green (Hepburn-Murphy 74), Grealish, Kodjia (Hourihane 87) Subs not used: Taylor, Elphick, Whelan, Moreira (gk).

Wigan (4-2-3-1): Walton, James, Dunkley, Kipre, Robinson, Connolly, Morsy, McManman (Evans 53), Powell (Windass 68), Jacobs, Grigg (Vaughan 80) Subs not used: Walker, Bruce, Roberts, Jones (gk).