That one was crucial for Carew

Villa striker John Carew believes last night's victory over Wigan was one of their "most important of the season."

James Milner's goal clinched a 2-1 triumph for the claret and blues at the DW Stadium after Gary Caldwell had cancelled out James McCarthy's own goal to leave the sides even at the break.

It left Villa just three points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand still to come over Harry Redknapp's side.

And Carew admitted only a victory would have sufficed to keep the claret and blues on course for the Champions League.

"It was an amazing win for us, one of the most important wins of the season," said Carew.

"It was very, very hard coming here playing against a very physical team who also like to play football.

"We had to really dig in but the satisfaction of three points afterwards is fantastic.

"We would have dropped off a bit if we hadn't won and there are not many games left now so we just have to follow the other teams – if they win we have to win as well if we are going to have a chance.

"The pressure is on us all the time but we still have a game in hand. Last year we might not have won that game.

"Last night we showed that we have taken another step forward and I'm just delighted for the team."

And boss Martin O'Neill declared himself happy with Villa's return of four points from back-to-back away trips after adding three points to Saturday's one at Stoke.

"It was important for us to close the gap and we did that," he said. "It was a brilliant win by us.

"If you'd said to me last Friday night that we would come out of the games against Stoke and Wigan with four points I'd have been absolutely delighted, these were two tough fixtures.

"I took little consideration of how Wigan played against Bolton (in their weekend 4-0 defeat). It was more about how they performed here last Monday night against Liverpool (in the 1-0 win).

"That's what we were up against and they certainly had their moments. But, because it was open, I just thought that we would take our chance."

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez felt his side were unfortunate not to take a point from the game.

Both sides enjoyed numerous chances in an end-to-end encounter but Wigan's failure to make the most of theirs leaves them just four points above the relegation zone.

Martinez said: "It was a really even game, really open. Both sides were probably tired after Saturday but they gave everything.

"I couldn't see much between the two sides. I am just disappointed about the own goal and a soft goal from a corner after a poor clearance.

"That leaves a bad taste because I don't think the players deserved to get nothing out of the game. I felt the players shared everything in that game and it should have been a draw."