Martin O'Neill will again face up to the prospect of meeting Steve Bruce on the touchline after the former Blues boss has enjoyed a career resurgence of late.
Since Villa sunk Bruce into an all time low with a 2-1 victory over Birmingham at St Andrew's, he has taken over the reigns at Wigan and steered them out of the relegation zone.
Bruce has seen his team claim 7 points from a possible last 9 and has instilled his typically fiery personality into the men from the land of Rugby League.
O'Neill will hold the advantage though as he outwitted his opposition manager in the huge Brum derby just over two months ago.
Villa claimed second city bragging rights thanks to a late winner from Gabby Agbonlahor, but Bruce will be confident he can get his own back when the men in Claret and Blue come knocking.
His Wigan side enjoyed a relatively comfortable 1-0 win over Newcastle on Boxing Day while Villa took part in the game of the season so far, as they drew 4-4 with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The away team will undoubtedly be tired as the smallest squad in the Premiership have been forced to travel many a mile in the space of three days.
Villa will be missing Zat Knight for the game at the JJB as he starts a 3 match ban after being sent off in the pulsating Boxing Day encounter. He is likely to be replaced by Curtis Davis who came on against Chelsea.
O'Neill may also be missing Bulgarian midfielder Stliyan Petrov who has been sidelined so it is expected that Shaun Maloney will again get a starting place on the left of midfield.
For Wigan, Jason Koumas is again doubtful, as are Emile Heskey and Ryan Taylor. These are 3 key players for the hosts and many Villa fans would not be too upset if they don't start.
Heskey in particular, has been the scurge of Villa in the past and he is another Blues connection at the JJB. Along with Mario Melchiot and the probability of some signings from the lesser half of the second city, it may start to feel like the Villa vs Blues rivlary is played out 4 times per season not 2.
The Claret and Blue have held a recent dominance in the crunch encounters and the 5,500 travelling army of Villans will hope there is no change on Saturday.