Aston Villa took a while to get going but burst past regional rivals Wolves for a 3-1 comeback win at Villa Park on Saturday.
The Villans beat Young Boys 3-0 in a brilliant restart to life in the UEFA Champions League at midweek but took their time to find footing on Saturday, going behind on a Matheus Cunha goal.
But the injury-hit Wolves were overrun once Unai Emery ran in the second half changes, with Morgan Rogers setting up a pair of goals as Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa, and Jhon Duran played the role of finishes in the win.
Villa leap into third place with 12 points, behind Liverpool and Man City on goal differential, while Wolves are bottom of the table after draws for Everton and Southampton.
Villa are an established power
The coach is there. His system is there. The well-managed depth is there. And now Villa can say the experience of returning to the Premier League from the travel of a Champions League week is there. Villa might’ve looked leggy to start the game, but there was no question who was better by the hour mark. Granted Wolves at home are a fine opponent to shake out the midweek-stressed muscles, but Villa’s rotation of forwards and heart from everywhere else should encourage everyone that Unai Emery can lead the side deep into Europe without sacrificing their chance to finish in the top four again.
Aston Villa vs Wolves player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Aston Villa vs Wolves player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Aston Villa vs Wolves player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Aston Villa are off to Wycombe in the League Cup on Tuesday, and then have an away Premier League trip to Ipswich Town at 9am ET Sunday (Sept. 21).
Wolves are home to Liverpool at 12:30pm Saturday.
How to watch Aston Villa vs Wolves live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday
Venue: Villa Park
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
Aston Villa vs Wolves live updates — By Nick Mendola
Aston Villa vs Wolves final score — 1-3
Matheus Cunha 24', Ollie Watkins 73', Ezri Konsa 88', Jhon Duran 90+4'
Yerson Mosquera injury
It’s a knee injury for Mosquera, who is going to need help to get off the field.
Hopefully this isn’t anything major, as he’s replaced by Santiago Bueno. Wolves also swap in Thomas Doyle for Joao Gomes.
Ollie Watkins goal! Aston Villa 1-1 Wolves (73rd minute)
There is the goal!
Jhon Duran is fighting the ball outside the arc but his continued pressure helps the ball drop to Morgan Rogers.
He knows what to do with it, sending Ollie Watkins into the 18 for a fine finish.
1-1.
All Villa in the second half but equalizer is evasive
Unai Emery deployed Ross Barkley and Jhon Duran around the hour mark and it’s only increased Villa’s chances, but where’s the finish?
Villa changes
Ian Maatsen replaces Lucas Digne, who might’ve been an injury switch, while Leon Bailey comes into the match for John McGinn.
Halftime — Aston Villa 0-1 Wolves
Wolves are — checks notes — deservedly on top!
Villa have shaded possession but the better chances have come for Wolves and Cunha’s finish alone is enough to say the visitors should be ahead of their rivals.
Shots are 7-2 for Wolves and whether this is a European hangover or not, Villa seem likely to go for Jhon Duran, Leon Bailey, Ross Barkley, Ian Maatsen, or Emiliano Buendia at the break for messaging alone!
Matheus Cunha goal! Aston Villa 0-1 Wolves (24th minute)
Diego Carlos’ casual pass is picked off by Matheus Cunha, who comes to the ball ready to shoot.
He zips it off Emiliano Martinez’s near post and over the line.
Wolves in front!
Cunha enraged after Wolves win dangerous free kick
Ollie Watkins cleans out Matheus Cunha in what might’ve been a yellow card challenge, but Cunha thinks it’s a clear red. It’s not, but it is a dangerous free kick.
Wolves waste it. That was probably the most interesting moment of a tense first 15 minutes at Villa Park.
Aston Villa vs Wolves team news
Not a ton of rotation here, and that could play into Villa’s hands as Wolves had a League Cup tie at Brighton at midweek.
Aston Villa lineup
Martinez, Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne, McGinn, Onana, Tielemans, Ramsey, Rogers, Watkins.
Wolves lineup
Johnstone, Semedo, Dawson, Mosquera, Ait-Nouri, J. Gomes, Andre, Lemina, Bellegarde, Cunha, Strand Larsen.
Aston Villa focus, team news
Could this be the time for a Jhon Duran start? The wondergoal scorer of last week has three goals this Premier League season and played 30 minutes to Ollie Watkins’ 60 in Bern. Leon Bailey and Emiliano Buendia were both unused in the UCL tie.
OUT: Boubacar Kamara (knee), Tyrone Mings (knee), Matty Cash (thigh)
Wolves focus, team news
Mario Lemina was the star against Newcastle, and he’s been so important for the battling attitude of O’Neill’s team. But Wolves will need so much more to beat Villa, and the key will be in who’s fit to play because the questionable list is looooong.
OUT: Enso Medina (knee), Sasa Kalajdzic (knee), Bastien Meupiyou (undisclosed) | QUESTIONABLE: Boubacar Traore (knee), Rayan Ait-Nouri (knee), Andre (calf), Nelson Semedo (calf), Craig Dawson (undisclosed), Yerson Mosquera (calf), Toti Gomes (thigh)
Aston Villa vs Wolves prediction
Villa took four of six points from Wolves last season with the same managers at the helm. Wolves, at leas talent-wise, have taken a step back with Pedro Neto and Max Kilman out of town, but they’ll hope that good discipline and Villa’s inter-continental week will be enough to keep this game within reach. Aston Villa 2-1 Wolves.
