H-T: Wigan 1-1 Aston Villa - Caldwell pulls Latics level at the break

Gary Caldwell atoned for last weekend's horror show by pulling Wigan level in a thrilling Barclays Premier League contest with Aston Villa tonight.

The Latics defender committed a series of errors in the 4-0 thrashing by Bolton on Saturday but was on hand to cancel out a James McCarthy own goal at the DW Stadium.

McCarthy sliced a clearance into his own net after 25 minutes but Caldwell headed an immediate reply in a first half of numerous chances for both sides.

Top scorer Gabriel Agbonlahor returned as Aston Villa looked to close in on their Champions League rivals with victory at Wigan tonight.

Agbonlahor, troubled by a virus last week and then left on the bench for Saturday's draw with Stoke, replaced Emile Heskey at the DW Stadium in the only change to Martin O'Neill's line-up.

Claiming three points would lift seventh-placed Villa within three points of Tottenham, the side currently fourth, with a game in hand.

Wigan, just four points above the relegation zone, were hoping to boost their survival hopes by winning at home for only the second time since November.

Manager Roberto Martinez kept faith with defender Gary Caldwell after a horror show in the 4-0 loss at Bolton at the weekend but teenager Victor Moses was back on the bench.

Wigan settled quickly with Hugo Rodallega breaking into the box but firing well wide and Maynor Figueroa then getting forward to send a fierce drive narrowly over.

Villa were slow to get into their stride but finally threatened after 11 minutes as Agbonlahor clipped the ball home from a John Carew flick-on but the offside flag was raised.

The visitors were denied again two minutes later as Ashley Young turned in an Agbonlahor cross, offside again the reason.

Figueroa then tested Brad Friedel with another long-range strike before Carew tried his luck at the other end but saw his effort flash wide.

The pace of the game was quick and both teams were playing some enterprising football.

Having beaten Liverpool at home last week, Wigan were again enjoying the benefits of the decision to re-lay their much-criticised pitch recently.

For Villa, Agbonlahor found space again only to be denied by a good block from Figueroa and Stewart Downing had an inswinging free-kick from the right tipped over by Chris Kirkland.

Villa took the lead in fortuitous circumstances after 25 minutes after Carew headed down a Downing cross.

James McCarthy was under no pressure as the ball fell his way but he mis-timed his clearance horribly and sliced the ball beyond Kirkland.

Wigan produced the ideal response and levelled within two minutes as Charles N'Zogbia's free-kick was met by a glancing header from Caldwell that took it beyond Friedel.

Both sides remained intent on attack and Rodallega and Young both spurned good opportunities to put their sides ahead.

Carew also went close twice, first with a cheeky backheel that went wide and then when Kirkland spread himself to save a powerful shot from close range.