Wigan safe after Villa slip up
A second-half brace from Luis Antonio Valencia handed Wigan the win they needed to confirm their Premier League status.
Aston Villa failed to keep the pressure on Everton in the battle for the Uefa Cup as they went down 2-0 to the Latics.
Steve Bruce's side went into the match knowing results elsewhere could see them safe regardless of the score at Villa Park, but Valencia's double, the first deflecting heavily off Wilfred Bouma, meant survival was assured under their own steam.
Meanwhile, Chris Riggott returned from exile to play a major part in Middlesbrough's successful fight for Premier League safety.
The defender, who was recalled from his loan spell at Stoke, went straight into Gareth Southgate's team and rewarded his manager with a priceless 40th-minute header which put them on the road to a 2-0 victory over FA Cup finalists Portsmouth.
Turkey international Tuncay Sanli wrapped up a vital win with a 53rd-minute header.
© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.
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