Wolves 2-0 Aston Villa: Wanderers surpass record-low points tally while denting rivals’ Champions League hopes | OneFootball

Bottom club Wolves avoided unwanted history by surpassing the Premier League’s all-time lowest points tally set by Derby County with a spirited 2-0 win over Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa at Molineux.

Joao Gomes crashed in a thunderous effort just after the hour mark after a cagey first 45 minutes, in which Villa wasted several chances to take the lead through Ollie Watkins and centre-back Pau Torres.

José Sá produced a big second-half save to deny Ian Maatson before Rodrigo Gomes sealed the deal in the final minute of stoppage time, as the hosts held firm to move onto 13 points, past the Rams’ 11-point record in 2007/08, and deny Unai Emrey’s side a first win on Wanderers’ turf in five years.

As it happened

Wolves were let off not once but twice inside the first 10 minutes, after Morgan Rogers flicked a pass from Matty Cash through the legs of Santiago Bueno and slotted through Ollie Watkins.

Centre-back Yerson Mosquera to block his shot attempted by the striker with the outside of his boot, but it was almost made meaningless when Pau Torres in acres of space headed a corner woefully wide of goal.

It was then the hosts’ turn to waste a golden opportunity. Hanging a free kick into Villa’s 18 yard box, Mosquera headed the delivery back across goal and his defensive colleague Toti side-footed a cushioned volley behind.

The contest very much resembled a game of basketball, with Villa soon coming close again down the other end through a powerful volley from Douglas Luiz – on the end of a cross from Matty Cash – that was straight at José Sá.

Villa often got themselves in highly promising positions in the final third but couldn’t carve out the chance for Watkins, who was growing more and more isolated, while Wolves themselves struggled to make inroads.

Both sides created few chances in the second half, as Unai Emery was forced into changes on the hour mark as Leon Bailey and Ross Barkley were both introduced to try and bring a much needed spark.

They soon had a mountain to climb as Gomes sprayed the ball wide to right winger Jackson Tchatchoua, crossing in from the right towards Adam Armstrong whose touch down was rifled in by the man who started the move.

Sá was called upon to bat away Ian Maatsen’s shot from just inside the box, after Ross Barkley shifted the ball through to the Dutch wing-back, as time was running out for Villa to carve out further opportunities.

Substitute Tolu Arokodare was breaking away on the counter attack just before seven minutes were announced, to the dismay of the ever-animated Emrey on the touchline, before seeing Gomes’ strike from distance blocked.

Maatsen came ever so close to hauling themselves level once more, deep into stoppage time, but Sá stood his ground and made a brilliant save before Mosquera cleared the follow up – met by a roar from the home stands.

And they went into raptures when Rodrigo Gomes sealed a damaging defeat for Villa, his first goal since last February, after Arokodare countered once more and found Andre, whose blocked effort on goal fell kindly to the Portuguese wing-back.

The defeat leaves Aston Villa, still in third, at risk of slipping down the table as Manchester United will move level on 51 points with the Villains if they pick up maximum points at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Wolves’ fate may already be decided, still sat 16 points from Premier League safety, but will take solace in managing to battle their way to yet another upset and move above Derby County’s record-low 11 points total.

Wolves analysis: lack of end product will cost top flight status

Most, if not all of the discussion around Wolves ahead of their clash with Villa inevitably returned to the age-old question that’s been around since 2008: would they finish on lower points than that Derby team?

The answer, now, is a definitive no.

Wanderers’ haul of 10 points equaled Derby’s total after 28 matches played almost two decades ago, and much like the Rams unfortunate situation it appeared time was running thin for Rob Edward and his squad to avoid setting a new record that would seriously take some beating. If that’s even the word for it.

Should they even be where they are? No, according to their expected points. Using this metric, Wolves not only would be sitting 18th in the table but they’d be level on 30 points with both West Ham and Tottenham, rather than 16 adrift of Vitor Pereira’s Nottingham Forest. Instead, they’re rock bottom with 7.6 goals less than they should have.

Villa might’ve been on top throughout but weren’t at their best in an end-to-end first half. Wolves simply weren’t able to catch them out. While not a natural goalscorer, Toti had to at least force Argentina’s number one Emi Martinez into a save with his cushioned volley.

Sky Sports co-commentator Don Goodman had one thing to say afterwards: “I’d be surprised if Wolves create anything better than that tonight.” Though many would’ve expected them to fulfill the prophecy, it proved wrong.

They are far and away the worst attack and defense in the top flight, but have successfully pulled off two upsets against leaders Arsenal and their local rivals, and their supporters will be left to ponder just how different things might’ve been with the level of resistance and, most importantly, the end product on show tonight.

Villa analysis: no place in Champions League for goal struggles

Put simply, five goals in the past six matches isn’t not good enough given Aston Villa’s standards. But isn’t good enough for the Champions League either.

Among the 12 teams who were eliminated from Europe’s top club competition at the league phase, the average goals scored in those eight matches was nine.

For all the quality Villa have in their ranks, particularly in the attacking department with the likes of Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, Jadon Sancho, the list goes on, they were disconnected and stagnant for much of their time on the ball.

Having kept 61% of the possession, they weren’t able to make anything of their 1.06 expected goals compared to Wolves’ 0.92.

It isn’t a good look given the bottom club’s season derailing early on due to failing to make the most of their chances.

Some time passed until Rogers appeared for his media duties, so much so that Sky Sports’ presenting team noticed it.

Emrey no doubt held back his team in the dressing room after a lackluster performance, with their charge for the top four slowly grinding to a halt.