Aston Villa’s aspirations for a Champions League spot took a significant hit as they faced a surprising defeat against local rivals Wolves in a thrilling derby match. The win for Wolves was not only a celebration for their fans but also pivotal in helping them avoid setting a notorious record for the lowest points total in Premier League history, previously held by Derby County with just 11 points during the 2007-08 season.
Wolves managed to climb to 13 points with goals from Joao Gomes and Rodrigo Gomes, securing their second victory of the season despite still sitting at the bottom of the league table and facing the threat of relegation. Meanwhile, Aston Villa remained in third place but missed the opportunity to extend their lead over Manchester United in fourth, as they have now only won two of their last seven league matches.
In addition to struggling in the Premier League, Villa’s recent form has seen them eliminated from the FA Cup by Newcastle earlier this month, leaving manager Unai Emery’s side under pressure. During the encounter against Wolves, Villa had several first-half opportunities, including a close chance from Pau Torres who missed a free header and Douglas Luiz whose volley was easily saved by Wolves’ goalkeeper, Jose Sa.
Wolves, on the other hand, showed resilience and struck first with Joao Gomes scoring their opener after 61 minutes, converting from Adam Armstrong’s setup. Despite Emery’s efforts to change the game’s momentum by bringing on Tammy Abraham late in the match, Villas’ attempts to equalize fell short as Rodrigo Gomes sealed the game with a second goal in stoppage time.
This match highlighted the ongoing struggles for Villa while offering a glimmer of hope for Wolves as they aim to gather momentum and fight back from the bottom of the table. The result ignites the challenge ahead for both teams, with Aston Villa needing to regroup quickly if they hope to stay in contention for European football next season.