Aston Villa’s hopes of clinching a Champions League spot faced a significant setback following a surprising defeat to local rivals Wolves in a dramatic derby. The victory for Wolves proved critical, allowing them to avoid the stigma of setting a record for the lowest points total in Premier League history, previously held by Derby County with just 11 points during the 2007-08 season.
With this win, Wolves earned their second victory of the season, elevating their points total to 13 despite remaining at the bottom of the league table and grappling with relegation threats. Conversely, Aston Villa stayed in third place but wasted the chance to widen their lead over Manchester United in fourth, as they have only managed to secure two wins out of their last seven league fixtures.
Villa’s challenges have not been confined to the Premier League; they also faced elimination from the FA Cup at the hands of Newcastle earlier this month, placing manager Unai Emery’s squad under increased scrutiny. In the clash against Wolves, Villa created multiple opportunities in the first half, notably a missed header by Pau Torres and a volley from Douglas Luiz that was comfortably saved by Wolves’ goalkeeper, Jose Sa.
Wolves capitalized on their chances when Joao Gomes scored the opening goal in the 61st minute, expertly set up by Adam Armstrong. Despite Emery’s decision to introduce Tammy Abraham in hopes of changing the game’s direction, Villa’s attempts to equalize fell through, with Rodrigo Gomes scoring in stoppage time to cement the victory for Wolves.
This match underscored Aston Villa’s ongoing difficulties, while simultaneously offering a beacon of hope for Wolves as they aim to gather momentum and pull themselves out of the relegation zone. The result poses a pressing challenge for both teams, with Aston Villa needing to quickly regroup to maintain their ambitions for European football next season.