Luis Valencia's second-half double brought Wigan a precious 2-0 win at Aston Villa, a result which ensures their Premier League survival.

Steve Bruce's side are now eight points clear of the relegation zone, and with one round of matches remaining have finally escaped the spectre of the drop. It was not pretty, but they will care little.

Villa had the better of an uneventful first half, in which both sides lacked imagination and conceded possession far too easily.

Wigan were doggedly effective, however, and while Wilson Palacios and Michael Brown stifled the home side's midfield creativity, Emile Heskey and Marcus Bent thrived on scraps to ease the pressure.

The first chance of the afternoon fell to Zat Knight, who met Ashley Young's left-wing free-kick and saw his effort well saved by Chris Kirkland.

Gareth Barry was the next to threaten. The Villa skipper timed his run to perfection to meet Wilfred Bouma's cross, but once again Kirkland was on hand.

On the half-hour mark, Gabriel Agbonlahor beat the offside trap and raced through one-on-one. His first touch was poor, his shot was poorer still and Wigan escaped again.

After getting to half-time on level terms, the visitors must have received some talking to from their manager.

Just minutes into the second period Wigan had an unlikely lead. Valencia drove in from the right flank, let fly from 20 yards, and watched his shot deflect wickedly off Wilfred Bouma and into the top corner. Scott Carson was helpless.

Villa barely had time to draw breath before Ecuadorian struck again. This time his effort required no invention. Having collected Heskey's knock-down, he bolted forward and sent a crashing right-foot shot into the roof of the net from the edge of the box.

From nowhere Wigan had a 2-0 lead. Having enjoyed little territory, and even less possession, Bruce's workmanlike outfit had smashed and grabbed with aplomb and would have little trouble in seeing out the remaining 30 minutes.

O'Neill introduced Patrik Berger and Marlon Harewood from the bench, but Villa continued to lack incision going forward. They were neat and positive, but without drive.

As the game faded out, Wigan's raucous travelling support sung out in joyous relief, lauding their players and their manager. Bruce's team are now unbeaten in five games, and have conceded just twice along the way. Premier League football next season is their reward.

For Villa, slim hopes of overtaking Everton to qualify for the Uefa Cup are all but extinguished. Everton have a game in hand and if they manage a point or more against Arsenal on Sunday fifth place is secured.

Will Tidey / Eurosport