Mido's Wigan Athletic, who had to play without their injured top scorer Amr Zaki, held Aston Villa to a goalless draw in the Premiership on Saturday. The Latics could have opened the scoring in the first half but Dutch midfielder Daniel de Ridder failed to score despite going one-on-one with Villa keeper Brad Friedel, who blocked the former's effort. Friedel thwarted another Wigan opportunity in the first-half's additional time, making a superb one-handed save to deny Maynor Figueroa. Villa greatly improved during the second half and were unlucky not to find the net on several occasions. A Zat Knight header hit the post before Figueroa cleared another header from Gabriel Agbonlahor off the line. Villa duo John Carew and Luke Young were also denied by Paul Scharner's brilliant goal-line clearances as Wigan held on to prevent Martin O'Neill's team from securing a fifth successive win. Egypt striker Mido played as a lone striker as he missed the presence of his compatriot Zaki. Mido, who converted a penalty in the midweek draw with Liverpool, was isolated upfront. The absence of Ecuadorian winger Antonio Valencia, who was also injured, negatively affected Wigan's display. After the draw, Wigan remained seventh on 33 points as they push for a surprising European place. Villa are fourth with 48 points, two behind leaders Manchester United, who face Everton later in the day.
