Wolves – Aston Villa : Preview & Prediction
Wolverhampton Wanderers were mercilessly punished for an error-plagued performance against Brighton as they slumped to a 6-0 defeat, a disastrous result for Julen Lopetegui to record his 200th top-flight game as manager. Magnanimously taking full responsibility for that setback, he said “we lost a battle, not the war” as his side are still not safe from relegation.
Their biggest Premier League (PL) defeat of the season was not a good way to prepare for a West Midlands derby against Aston Villa, a clash first played in December 1886, although at least Wolves have lost only one of the last five meetings against this opposition in which they were the home side (G4). Recent form also hints that they will be able to overcome the Brighton game, having won each of their last three PL games at home and conceding no goals.
While it wasn’t such a crushing blow, Aston Villa’s renaissance under Unai Emery faltered when they lost 1-0 to Manchester United last time out, failing to score for the first time since taking over in November. They are still in the hunt for a place in European soccer as it was their first league defeat since mid-February (G8, E2), and this result left Emery “a bit disappointed.”
With two away league games remaining, Villa cannot afford to drop many more away points if they are to finish in the top seven of the PL for the first time since the 2009/10 season. Thus, their first task is to take points away from Molineux, a place where they have struggled recently (G1, P4). More encouragingly, they are unbeaten in league action away from home against teams starting this round below 13th place this campaign (G3, E3).
Players to watch: Rúben Neves scored Wolves’ last goal in this clash and netted in the 2-1 win over Aston Villa at home in November 2019. On a similar theme, Douglas Luiz scored Villa’s last goal away from home, and it’s worth noting that he has scored three of his last four goals from the 70th min onwards.
Standout Fact: Each of the last three clashes between Lopetegui and Emery ended 1-1.
Wolves – Aston Villa : Betting Tips
Wolves – Win Odds: 2.85
