Wigan give Martinez permission for Villa talks

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has been given permission to speak to managerless Aston Villa, Latics chairman Dave Whelan has told the Daily Telegraph.

The Spaniard, who kept the club in the Barclays Premier League thanks to a four-game unbeaten run at the end of the season, has spoken to Villa officials who are on the look-out for a successor to Gerard Houllier, who stood down earlier this month for health reasons.