Wolves dent Villa’s top-four push with derby win | OneFootball

Aston Villa’s bid to secure a Champions League place faltered once more as Wolves earned a hard-fought 2-0 derby win at Molineux, ensuring they avoided the lowest points total in Premier League history.

João Gomes broke the deadlock shortly after the hour, before Rodrigo Gomes wrapped up the result in stoppage time to hand the hosts just their second league victory of the campaign.

Villa started with greater purpose and controlled much of the opening period without making it count. Pau Torres failed to convert a free header, while Douglas Luiz fired straight at José Sá. Wolves offered little attacking threat before the interval but remained organised and disciplined.

The turning point arrived on 61 minutes. After a scrappy sequence in the box, the ball fell kindly for João Gomes, who lashed a powerful effort against the underside of the bar and in, sparking celebrations among the home support.

Unai Emery reacted by sending on Tammy Abraham as Villa pressed for a response, yet clear opportunities were scarce. As the visitors committed bodies forward in the dying stages, Wolves struck decisively on the counter, Rodrigo Gomes finding space to finish calmly and seal the contest.

The three points take Wolves beyond Derby County’s infamous 11-point mark from 2007/08, though survival still appears a distant prospect. For Villa, it was another setback in a patchy run of form that threatens their grip on third place. 

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

2':

Missed opportunity. Mateus Mané of Wolverhampton Wanderers attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area following a free kick.

14':

Missed opportunity. Toti Gomes from Wolverhampton Wanderers attempted a right-footed shot from the center of the penalty area but sent it wide to the left. The assist came from Hugo Bueno.

59':

Opportunity wasted. Amadou Onana from Aston Villa attempted a header from the center of the box following a corner kick.

Wolverhampton Wanderers take the lead with a score of 1-0 against Aston Villa. João Gomes scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the penalty area.

61':

GOAL Wolverhampton: João Gomes (Wolverhampton) scores!

João Gomes scores goal number 1 in the competition (27 matches)

67':

Opportunity wasted. Yerson Mosquera of Wolverhampton Wanderers attempted a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area.

81':

Missed opportunity. Mateus Mané of Wolverhampton Wanderers took a right-footed shot from the center of the box, but it sailed high and wide to the right.

85':

Opportunity wasted! Amadou Onana of Aston Villa attempted a header from the center of the box, but it went just wide. The chance was set up by Matty Cash, who delivered a cross following a corner kick.

90 +8':

GOAL Wolverhampton: Rodrigo Gomes (Wolverhampton) scores!

Rodrigo Gomes scores goal number 2 in the competition (13 matches)

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match