Wigan gained their third Premiership away win of the season with a confident display at Aston Villa.

The Latics took the lead when Aaron Hughes could only turn Henri Camara’s cross into his own net.

Veteran keeper John Filan helped preserve Wigan’s lead, with the pick of a series of fine saves an effort from Eirik Bakke’s wickedly deflected shot.

Alan Mahon confirmed Villa’s fifth defeat of the season with a stunning finish as Wigan struck on the break.

Both sides were neat and precise in their build-up, but two well-marshalled defences brought proceedings to a halt on the edge of either penalty area.

A set-piece provided the first opening for Villa, with James Milner whipping in a free-kick from the right for Liam Ridgewell to head just wide.

Kevin Philips had an even better chance minutes later, stealing in as Hughes’ long ball bisected Arjan De Zeeuw and Stephane Henchoz, but Filan denied him with a sharp save.

But it was Wigan who made the breakthrough and it was no more than their confident, enterprising football deserved.

Camara showed his pace down the right and delivered a wicked cross which Hughes - with Damien Francis breathing down his neck - could only turn into his own net from six yards out.

De Zeeuw’s slip let Luke Moore in but his finish was woeful as he blasted high and wide with only Filan to beat.

Filan preserved his side’s lead with a stunning save, changing direction in mid-air to parry as Bakke’s shot deflected off Henchoz.

Villa continued to squander the chances they created, and when Barry crossed from the left Moore rose highest but was unable to keep his header down.

Filan was again in top form to beat away Barry’s piledriver and Villa showed plenty of appetite for the task of getting back into the game.

But as they pushed forward they exposed themselves to the pace of Wigan’s strikers on the break, and Jason Roberts burst clear after Jloyd Samuel’s mistake, only for the Villa defender to redeem himself by muscling Roberts out of his stride as he shaped to shoot.

Camara’s searing pace then took him clear but he selfishly opted to shoot with Graham Kavanagh well placed and Thomas Sorensen saved easily.

The threat became real as Jimmy Bullard led a swift break and found Mahon who blasted a first-time shot past Sorensen from 23 yards.

*Villa boss David O’Leary:*

“I don’t think the lads could believe they were down at half-time considering the chances we had.

“But this game is about taking chances. I saw Arsenal lose at West Brom last week after missing a load and it was the same with us on this occasion.

“We should have been well in command at half-time. The game should have been over. In the second half we had all the play but did not create much.”