Wolverhampton Wanderers brushed a weakened Aston Villa side with considered ease as they ran out at home 2-1 winners.
In the first half it started with headlines immediately, Tom Heaton injured in the warm-up so Jed Steer started his first Premier League game since 2014. Steer was sadly injured within four minutes as he dealt with a cross. Re-injuring his prior Achilles injury in the process. Wolves had all the energy and possession in the first half. Seriously controlling the game flow and having the better of the two halves. Aston Villa’s defence led by Mings and debutant, Ezri Konsa, held on to a clean sheet for as long as possible.
This was until the 40th minute, when Ruben Neves was left in acres of space at the top of the box unmarked and pinged a beautiful curling shot into the goal past Villa’s 3rd choice ‘keeper, Nyland.
The trouble wasn’t done yet for Villa, with Matt Targett going off with a head knock a few minutes from half time. Villa trailed one goal to nil and had already made two substations due to injury. Wolves were relishing the momentum.
After the break, Villa began to take more control of the game but made nothing eventuate with the added possession. Wolverhampton, backed by a vocal home crowd, pushed on with their own intent. Both Jota, Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore all came close to doubling the hosts’ advantage.
The second goal for Wolves did come late on in the second half with a gut-busting run from an already depleted Traore down the left-wing, past a weak challenge from Douglas Luiz. Adama then cut the ball invitingly across the top of the box, with the shot being buried away from Raul Jimenez with six minutes of time to play.
Aston Villa had a few chances throughout the game but none worked Rui Patricio in goal well enough. The best chance for Villa in the game came in the 92nd minute. The corner came flying in over the pack of tangled players, to Trezeguet at the back post. He fired the shot low past Patricio and scored. Goal-line technology confirming the goal after Saiss did clear the ball however it had already crossed the line.
The goal was too little, too late for the visitors, who now travel home after a third consecutive loss. This left them in 17th place going into the international break. For Wolves, they continue their good run at the expense of their Midland’s rivals. They climb up to 8th before the break. Just a point off Europa League placing.
Man of the Match: Conor Coady