Chris Herd: Aston Villa midfielder joins Wigan Athletic on loan

Chris Herd has been with Aston Villa his whole career and has made 42 appearances

Wigan Athletic have signed Aston Villa midfielder Chris Herd on loan until the end of the season.

The 25-year-old spent time on loan with Bolton earlier this campaign, making three appearances for the Trotters.

The Australia international has not featured for Villa since December 2013 and is out of contract in the summer.

"I'm delighted that Chris has been able to join us, he's a player I've looked at a lot over a period of time," Wigan boss Malky Mackay said.

"I feel that his energy, his athleticism and his tenacity will be things that can really help us out," he added to the club's website.

Herd could make his debut for the struggling Latics, who are next-to-bottom of the Championship, in Saturday's trip to promotion-hopefuls Ipswich.