Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce can't wait to make safety certain saying that Saturday's game against Aston Villa can't come soon enough.

"I think we just want the weekend to come and get it done" said Bruce,

"It's obviously riveting for the spectators at this time of the season, but we're edging towards it"

"Nothing's really changed from the week before really only there's now only two games to go. 

"Fulham getting a win has put an edge on it for many of the teams down at the bottom but thankfully it doesn't make any difference for us because they can't catch us."

Bruce also said that if he keeps Latics in the Premier League this season, that it will probably be his greatest achievement, which coming from a man who won three titles and three FA Cups as a player is some statement.

"If we do it then it will probably be the biggest achievement I have had" he said, "considering where we were when I walked through the door, if we can do it, we had 9 points on December the 15^th, to be in this position with two games to go, we must have done alright."

Looking forward to pitting his wits against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday, the manager says he has a great deal of respect for what his opposite number has achieved.


RESPECT: Bruce says O'Neill's done a remarkable job

"I've got the utmost respect for Martin and what he's achieved at Villa.

"He took his time initially, obviously with takeover and the help of the new owner Mr Learner they've turned it around, and for them to be involved in challenging for fifth place is quite a remarkable achievement."

Bruce's only new injury problem ahead of the game at Villa is that of skipper Mario Melchiot.

"Melchiot looks as though he's going to miss the rest of the season, and it looks like it's going to take him around three or four weeks to recover from his groin injury.

"Obviously Erik Edman is still missing but is slowly beginning to recover from the cruciate knee ligament operation but other than that everyone else is OK.