The other Gèrard Houllier purchase is making his debut today, former Lyon midfield Jean Makoun adorning the claret and blue for the first time. Aside from some whistles and his first English Premier League card, Makoun has yet to have a true impact. Instead, Wigan has been able to control possession and generate a number of chances, though Villa and host Wigan go into halftime 0-0.
Wigan Vs. Aston Villa: Half Of Chances Yields No Goals In Jean Makoun’s Debut
Wigan's best chance came off the foot of Hugo Rodallega, the Latic striker blasting a ball into Brad Friedel's outstretched forearms early in the half, the Villa `keeper having come off his line to defend against an open Rodallega near the spot. With other chances for Franco di Santo as well as Rodallega, Wigan has looked the slightly more likely to open the scoring.
Which is not to say Villa has been without chances. Their best came early in the match when Stewart Downing, from eight yards out, nearly got a left-footed shot inside Ali Al-Habsi's near, left post. Al-Habsi was able to make the save, and while Villa built a couple of other decent chances, they failed to elicit the same gasps as the home side.
Regardless, Houllier has his team in to half drawn 0-0, with Wigan hoping for three points that will pull them out of the drop.
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