They're the form team behind Chelsea in recent weeks and will be hoping Villa become the latest side to be caught cold by them.
Manager Paul Jewell is pleased with the club's progress although remains wary of shouting from the rooftops at this early stage of the season.
But he admits Latics go to Villa Park in good heart having taken plenty of confidence from the unbeaten run.
He said: "I'm told we're second only to Chelsea in the form table and the players deserve credit for the way they bounced back from defeats in the first two games. We know we are in for a tough time over the season but we have points on the board early on and we're not resting on our laurels.
"The way I see it is that we have another 30 games left to stay in this league.
So far I think the players have perhaps surprised themselves in the way we have done well in seven of the eight games so far.
"The more these lads get results, the better the confidence will get.
"I keep looking back to the Chelsea game in August when we played the best team in the country and arguably in Europe, and acquitted ourselves well.
"We have used that performance as a springboard to show we can perform on a given day."
Jewell rates tomorrow's opponents Villa, highly despite David O'Leary's men making a slow start to the season.
So much so, he has tipped them to be challenging for a European slot once their big names are available.
"I watched their win at Birmingham last Sunday and was very impressed with what I saw," said Jewell.
"Their organisation and determination was good, and once they took the lead, they seemed intent on keeping it.
"One of the players who really caught me eye was the young lad Stephen Davis in midfield, he was very good.
"Villa are one of the major clubs in this country with brilliant support, a great stadium, great facilities and good players.
"I'm sure that if they get their players fit they will be looking to get into Europe this season. Every game in this league is a big test for us, but I think this one will be a major one.
"Twenty-odd years ago they were winning the European Cup at a time when we were in the old Fourth Division.
"That shows how much progress this club has made, but also the history of the opponents we're facing tomorrow."
Latics are forced into one change at Villa, Lee McCulloch ruled out through suspension and expected to be replaced by Alan Mahon in midfield.
Striker David Connolly missed training yesterday with a slight hamstring strain which he has been carrying for a couple of weeks.
But he was due to join in this morning's preparations before the squad headed to the Midlands for an overnight stop.