BRUCE SHUNS 'IMPOSSIBLE' STALEMATE

Bruce - positive approach.

Steve Bruce believes his Wigan side cannot afford to visit Aston Villa focused solely on containing their free-scoring hosts.

Martin O'Neill's men have been in clinical form in recent weeks, scoring 17 goals in their last four Premier League games, and they will be looking to maintain that run to stay in the hunt for Europe.

Wigan, meanwhile, have been battling to avoid the drop and a point could be enough to secure their top-flight status for another season, but Bruce insists the Latics will not be playing for a draw.

"It's impossible, especially with the way the Villa are playing at the moment," he said.

"They're an excellent team and if they get to fifth, it will be a remarkable achievement because for a couple of years there they were languishing at the wrong end of the table.

"I've got the biggest respect for Martin and what he's done. He's come in and taken his time to assess his squad, and revamped it in terms of players going out.

"He's brought six or seven class acts into his club, they've had a huge impact and they're starting now to show what a really good team they are.

"I think they're as good a team that's come to the JJB Stadium this season when we played them around Christmas time. It was nip and tuck first half but, second half, they were very, very good.

The former Birmingham boss added: "It will be a very difficult game, that's for sure.

"They will be a handful, but I hope we can keep playing the way we're playing, and that would make it a tough game for them too."

Villa came from behind to win the reverse fixture 2-1 in December, but Wigan have since held Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea as they have edged towards safety.

And Bruce is confident the Latics can surprise another top-six side to complete their survival mission and avoid having to rely on their relegation rivals to slip up.

"We've been to Liverpool and Chelsea and got a result, and we've got a result against Arsenal at home," he said.

"Against the top teams in the country, you need a little bit of luck, but we're capable, whether it be at Aston Villa at the weekend or at home to Manchester United next weekend, if it has to be.

"I do believe we're capable of getting the points we need rather than (rely on) anybody else."