Aston Villa 2 Wolves 0
It was a Midlands derby at Villa Park as Wolves arrived, looking to continue their fine season as European football seemed a realistic ambition. Unai Emery’s side sat in fourth place in the table and had their own agenda of securing Champions League football.
The visitors started on the front foot and some good football out wide saw a cross whipped into the box. As players challenged for the ball, it dropped to Ait Nouri at the back post unmarked. Martinez made a great save to deny him but the player had not realised just how much time he had.
Villa are never ones to need an invite to go on the front foot. Tielemans played a superb pass through the middle of the visitors’ defence to find Watkins in the box. He tried to lift it over the keeper from a tight angle but could only find the side netting.
Tackles were flying in as both teams tried to find a foothold in the game. Some poor defending by Wolves saw Bailey cross into the box on the volley. It deflected out towards the edge of the box where Diaby drilled the ball into the back of the net.
Credit: @premierleague
The ground erupted as Emery’s side broke the deadlock with half-time fast approaching. Gary O’Neil will feel that his team had their fair share of chances to take the lead before the Aston Villa goal. That is how cut-throat life is though in the Premier League.
Into the second half and Sarabia played a deft chip over the Villa defence to find Lemina at the far post. The midfielder could not get enough power on his header and it made for an all too easy save for Martinez in the hosts’ goal.
This was a typical derby game with both sets of players flying into the tackles. With Aston Villa holding a slender advantage, you could see that the next goal was going to prove pivotal in this game. The only question was who was going to get it.
Zaniolo had just come off the bench and was immediately involved. His drag-back in the middle of the park opened up some space in front of him. He managed to find Diaby on the edge of the box, who held it up for the overlapping run of Konsa.
There was no doubt the defender was looking to chip a ball to the back post for Duran but, somehow, the ball looped over the keeper and into the back of the net. Not that Konsa was complaining, to top off a superb week which saw him earn an England cap.
The visitors were up against it before Villa had doubled their lead, now it seemed like mission impossible for Gary O’Neil’s side, with just under half and hour of the game remaining. However, stranger things have happened in the league this season.
Credit: @AVFCOfficial
Duran then pressed the Wolves’ defence and robbed them of the ball. He picked out Diaby in the box, who in turn found Zaniolo. The Italian shot at goal but Neto got down well to make a one-handed save and get the ball at the second time of asking.
Wolves started to find their feet once again and Bueno whipped in a teasing cross from the left. It was met by the head of Docherty but he just could not keep his effort down as it clipped the top of the net as it went behind the goal.
The finish to the game could have been so different had the defender managed to score but Aston Villa held on for a comfortable win. The three points further cement their position in fourth place, anything but Champions League qualification would now seem like a failure.
Did you enjoy this article? Please share to your social media. With one click you can help spread the word and make Solid at the Back the one-stop shop for all Premier League fans.