The Ecuador ace sealed the win with two second half strikes to sink Villa and their hopes of European football.

Valencia's first came on 53 minutes when he ran at the defence and unleashed a 25 yard shot which took a wicked deflection of Wilfred Bouma and looped up over the helpless Scott Carson.

It got even better for the visitors in the 63rd minute when Valencia raced onto Emile Heskey's flick and drilled in at the near post.
He even had chance of a hat-trick in the 70th minute when Michael Brown played him through, but Carson was equal to his effort.

The win takes Latics onto 40 points and means they can't be caught by any other club in trouble.

Brown had the first sight of goal in the sixth minute, but he scuffed his weak left foot shot straight at Scott Carson.

Villa created the better chances in the first half.
In the 20th minute Ashley Young's free-kick was headed on by Zat Knight and Chris Kirkland produced a good save to keep it out.
The Wigan keeper plucked another out of the air seven minutes later when Bouma's cross found Gareth Barry's head.

Gabriel Agbonlahor got in behind the defence shortly after, but dragged a left foot shot well wide.
In the 34th minute a Latics corner caused a scramble, the loose ball fell to the feet of Marcus Bent but he completely missed the target.
He then fired a 30 yard effort into the Holte End.

Villa were presented with a great chance in the 39th minute when Jason Koumas gave away a totally needless corner.
Young's cross was nodded towards goal by Agbonlahor at the back post and Kirkland tipped it over via the top of the crossbar.

Villa, who were chasing fifth spot, almost took the lead five minutes after the re-start when Barry's cross-come-shot had to be pushed over by Kirkland.

Valencia then gave Latics the lead before Barry thought he'd equalised. But his right foot blast could only find the side netting.
Valencia's second sent Wigan into dreamland, although there were a few late scares.

Kirkland had to produce a good save to tip over a header from Agbonlahor and then substitute Marlon Harewood got in, but screwed his shot horribly wide.

The celebrations began when referee Rob Styles blew the final whistle and signalled a fourth season for Wigan Athletic in the top-flight.

Latics: Kirkland, Boyce, Bramble, Scharner, Kilbane, Valencia, Palacios, Brown, Koumas, Bent, Heskey. Subs: Sibierski, King, Taylor, Skoko, Pollitt.

Villa: Carson, Mellberg, Laursen, Knight, Bouma, Young, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Barry, Carew, Agbonlahor. Subs: Harewood, Salifou, Routledge, Berger, Taylor.

Referee: Rob Styles (Waterlooville)

For a full match report, pictures and reaction from Villa Park see Monday's Wigan Evening Post and Tuesday's Wigan Observer.