Wigan's chairman says he has given Aston Villa permission to speak to Roberto Martinez about becoming manager of its Premier League rival.
Villa is searching for a replacement for Gerard Houllier, who left due to heart problems last week after just nine months in charge.
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan told the Daily Telegraph newspaper's website on Wednesday that Villa wrote to him ''asking for permission to speak to Roberto. He was on holiday at the time and I granted Villa permission.''
Whelan says the 37-year-old Spaniard ''arrived back yesterday and I presume he has spoken to Villa.''
Martinez has a year remaining on his Wigan deal and Whelan says he ''will be extending his contract.''
Villa is owned by Randy Lerner, who also owns NFL's Cleveland Browns.
