Martinez savours point gained

Roberto Martinez saw Wigan’s 1-1 draw away against Aston Villa as a point gained as their Premier League survival still hangs in the balance.

Martinez was pleased with his team’s performance and he said: “We showed great concentration, great maturity and it’s another point against a very difficult opposition.”

“We scored a good goal from open play which is always the hardest thing in football and then disappointingly we conceded from a set piece.”

Ali Al Habsi should have saved Ashley Young’s first half free kick that found the bottom corner of the net, but Martinez was full of praise for his keeper.

“Goalkeeping is a lonely position and we have to rely on Ali, his concentration and quality was there for all to see. He was there for the team when we needed him,” Martinez said.

“We had to defend at times and we did that really well but considering the position we’re in that’s a very good performance.”

Gary McAllister took charge of Aston Villa in the absence of Gerard Houllier, but he was less than impressed with the game.

“I don’t think it was a game of high quality, I think it was a grinding point by us, and it was a little bit frustrating. It wasn’t pretty at times,” he said.

“Again, we go a goal behind due to an unforced error and then we worked our way back in to the game and we did have two or three good chances to get our noses in front but I’ve got to say a draw was a fair result.”

McAllister also defended striker Emile Heskey, who received a yellow card for barging into the referee and was substituted at half time, much to his disgust.

But McAllister said: “He won’t be disciplined by me. I know he is not happy with his reaction.”

“I saw him before I came back onto the pitch for the second half and he had calmed down.”

“Did he stay to watch rest of game? I am unsure. I’ve not seen him since.”

“Knowing him the way I do, someone I admire, a good friend, someone I’ve played with, that was just not Emile.”