Substitute Michael Jacobs – making his return after three months out with a hamstring injury – headed home the second goal on 79 minutes.

And Joe Garner made it 3-0 from the penalty spot with seven minutes left, after Josh Windass had been tripped by Glenn Whelan.

Wigan had flown out of the traps with Reece James crossed from the right, straight into the feet of Windass, with only three minutes gone.

But from eight yards out, the former Rangers man could only steer his shot straight at Lovre Kalinic, when either side would surely have produced the opening goal.

And in the blink of an eye, Wigan were almost punished for their profligacy, as they have so often over the last couple of months.

Goalkeeper Jamie Jones – making his first league start of the season, in place of on-loan Brighton keeper Christian Walton – rolled the ball out to Cedric Kipre, who couldn't control the ball.

That allowed Yannick Bolasie to feed Tammy Abraham, but the deadly striker – with 12 goals in his last 10 games – smashed inches wide of the post.

Bolasie was almost in himself moments later when Villa broke from a Wigan corner that was cleared, but the final ball into him was just off target.

Wigan ended the half on top and a Windass corner found Kipre at the near post, but his bullet header flew just wide.

But Wigan were not to be denied four minutes before the break when they did take the lead.

A brilliant save from Kalinic denied Garner from Kal Naismith's cross.

The rebound fell to Anthony Pilkington, on debut, who teed up Roberts and the finish at the near post was clinical.

Windass missed a great chance to make it 2-0 shortly after the restart, and Wigan sent on fresh legs in the form of Jacobs and Nathan Byrne.

Villa boss Dean Smith went even further, making a triple change shortly after the hour mark, in the hope Whelan, Kortney Hause and Albert Adomah could make a difference.

But it didn't affect the flow of the game, and Wigan scored further goals to underline their superiority.

A cracking cross from Lee Evans was headed home at the far post by Jacobs with 11 minutes remaining.

And four minutes later Windass was tripped in the area by Whelan, allowing Garner to slot home the spot-kick to make it three.

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