Villa have made four changes for this afternoon's Barclays Premier League clash against Wigan.

Injuries and suspensions have forced Paul Lambert into a reshuffle ahead of the showdown with Roberto Martinez's team.

Andreas Weimann returns from injury, while Barry Bannan, Stephen Ireland and Eric Lichaj are also recalled to the line-up.

Nathan Baker misses out with a hamstring problem, Fabian Delph is suspended and Ashley Westwood and Karim El Ahmadi drop to the bench.

Wigan have made two changes from their 2-1 defeat to Everton on Boxing Day.

Ivan Ramis and Franco Di Santo come into the starting XI for Ronnie Stam and James McArthur.

Former Villa attacker Shaun Maloney takes his place in the Latics line-up.

VILLA: Guzan, Lowton, Clark, Bennett, Holman, Herd, Lichaj, Weimann, Bannan, Ireland, Benteke. Subs: Given, El Ahmadi, Albrighton, Westwood, Bowery, Stevens, Carruthers.

WIGAN: Al Habsi, Caldwell, Boyce, Ramis, Figueroa, Beausejour, Maloney, Jones, McCarthy, Di Santo, Kone. Subs: Politt, Gomez, McManaman, McArthur, Boselli, Stam, Golbart.