Roberto Martinez not worried about Aston Villa trip

Last updated : 30 September 2011 By Daily Mail

The Spaniard was approached to become successor to Gerard Houllier when he decided he could no longer continue at Villa Park for health reasons.

However, after a quick chat with Latics chairman Dave Whelan there was a swift refusal and Martinez quickly turned his attention back to building on his side's survival in the Barclays Premier League.

Decision: Roberto Martinez chose to stay at Wigan instead of moving to Villa

'I don't expect any reaction from the Villa fans,' said Martinez.

'I never wanted to leave any doubts. It was never a decision about moving to Aston Villa or another club.

'I am very privileged of being the manager of Wigan and working with the chairman we have, he is the best chairman in world football to work with.

'It was clear; we had a three-year plan and it was down to him whether he wanted me to carry on doing that or not.

'The moment he decided he wanted me here there was not a decision to make.

'It wasn't the right time for Wigan to have a change of manager. We need to give stability to our dressing room.

Close: Dave Whelan (left) and Martinez

'It wasn't about the other club or another project, it was about my chairman and Wigan and there wasn't a decision to be made after that.

'In football you never know what could have happened but what is quite clear is we are in a position where we have great potential in this squad and it is important we start working to achieve that.'

Villa eventually appointed Alex McLeish, although that did not go down well with some sections of the support as he made the short trip from city rivals Birmingham.

But Martinez believes Saturday's match is bigger than both managers.

'It is such an important game for both teams that individuals are not important at all,' he added.

'Whatever happened in the summer was a long time ago and we feel the three points tomorrow are so important - and I am sure Villa view it the same.'

Wigan are in urgent need of a win as three successive league defeats and one in the Carling Cup have damaged their good start to the season when they picked up five points from the first three matches.

Martinez has been encouraged by recent performances - losing 3-1 at Everton and then going down 2-1 at home to Tottenham last weekend - but knows they have to stop the losing streak.

'Top and bottom you need to get points. I feel the last two performances we should have been able to get some on the board,' he said.

'You get a little bit anxious in terms of getting points and we need to make sure we control that situation and perform in a manner where we do get the points.

'It is such an important game it could really change the next month of each club - that is how important it is.

Hot seat: Alex McLeish was appointed Villa manager in the summer

Aston Villa have a good combination of experience and talent and had a very solid start.'To be unbeaten in any league is very difficult to achieve.

'We know we will have to be at our best but I feel with our squad we can go anywhere in the Premier League and get a result.'

Wigan have the best record at Villa Park of any Premier League team but Martinez insists that counts for nothing.

'You talk about the psychological part of the game and when you know you are capable of going to a place and getting a result it is a help,' he added.

'But once you start the game it doesn't give you anything.

'Whatever you have done in the past is a feelgood factor which is not going to help you to compete against a difficult side.

'If anything stats in football are there to be broken and I don't think any player goes into a game fearing the worst.

'Football can be so complicated and so simple.

'Against Villa, whatever the ins and outs around the fixture, it shouldn't affect our performance.'

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Source: Daily Mail

Source: Daily Mail