Wolverhampton Wanderers delivered Aston Villa a damaging derby defeat at Molineux on Friday night, with goals from Joao Gomes and Rodrigo Gomes securing a 2-0 win that dealt a serious blow to Villa’s Champions League ambitions.
The result ends a miserable week for Unai Emery’s team, who have now won just twice in their last seven Premier League games. Villa went into the game knowing victory would put them six points clear of top four chasers, but instead face the prospect of Manchester United pipping them on goal difference if they beat Crystal Palace on Sunday.
For the Wolves, the win could not have come at a better time. Although relegation remains a near certainty, the three points pushed them above Derby County’s infamous Premier League record of 11 points, a record they were in danger of matching. Rob Edwards’ side now have 13 points, and the form in the win suggested a team rediscovering some pride ahead of a crucial final stretch of the season.
Joao Gomes broke the deadlock in the 61st minute, firing off the crossbar after latching on to Adam Armstrong’s layoff in what was the visitors’ first shot on target. Rodrigo Gomes then scored the winner in stoppage time, catching Villa as they pushed forward desperately in search of an equaliser.
The full-time whistle sparked jubilant scenes at Molineux, with manager Edwards sprinting down the touchline, while the home faithful serenaded their relegation-bound heroes with a pointed chant aimed directly at their neighbours.
The mood in the Villa camp could not have been more different. Defender Ezri Konsa was seen arguing with fans and tensions between the players were also visible, with both Konsa and Amadou Onana urging Emi Buendia to leave the field more quickly during a substitution. Emery, who had marked his poor record at Molineux earlier in the week, spent much of the afternoon pacing his technical area, unable to find a solution.
Villa host Chelsea on Wednesday in what is now a must-win game, ahead of a Europa League trip to Lille the following week. Meanwhile, Wolves face back-to-back games against Liverpool, in the Premier League and then the fifth round of the FA Cup, with Edwards looking to build on a win that, while unlikely to alter their fortunes, could shape their future.
