Karl Whitehouse looks at the history of Wolves v Aston Villa
first meetings
- Championship – The first meeting of the two clubs in Championship was on the 15th October 2016 and the game finished 1-1.
- Division 1 – The first meeting of the two clubs in Division 1 was on the 8th September 1888 and the game finished 1-1.
- FA Cup – The first meeting of the two clubs in the FA Cup was in the 3rd Round on the 11th December 1886 and the game finished 2-2.
- Premier League – The first meeting of the two clubs in the Premier league was on the 14th December 2003 and the game finished 3-2 to Aston Villa.
- League Cup – The first meeting of the two clubs in the League Cup 2nd Round 1st Leg was on the 7th October 1981 and the game finished 3-2 to Aston Villa.
match of the day
There was a game near the date of the upcoming meeting which was played on the 13th February 1892 in a FA Cup quarter final and the game finished 3-1 to Aston Villa.
OTHER MEETINGS
Wolves played Aston Villa in a preseason friendly at Wellington Road, Perry Barr on the 6th November 1886 Aston Villa won the game 5-1.
Wolves played Aston Villa in a testimonial match for Mike Stowell on the 30th July 2000 and Aston Villa won 2-0 at Molineux with Ian Taylor & Lee Hendrie scoring the goals.
Wolves played Aston Villa in a preseason friendly at Molineux on the 30th July 2005 and the game finished 2-1 to Wolves the goal scorers for Wolves were Carl Cort & Seyi Olofinjana and Aston Villa goal scorer was Kevin Philips.
Wolves played Aston Villa in a preseason friendly at Molineux on the 28th July 2015 and the game finished 2-2 the goal scorers for Wolves were Dave Edwards & Benik Afobe and Aston Villa goal scorer was Libor Kozak with both goals.
most recent meetings
- Premier League – The most recent game was on the 21st September 2024 the game finished 3-1 to Aston Villa, scorers for Aston Villa were Watkins, Konsa, Duran, and Wolves scorer was Cunha in front of 39,978 fans.
- League Cup – The most recent game was in the 4th Round on the 30th October 2019 and the game finished 2-1 to Aston Villa.
- Championship – The most recent game was on the 10th March 2018 and the game finished 4-1 to Aston Villa.
LAST 6 MATCHES
2nd April 2022 Wolves 2 Aston Villa 1 at Molineux
4th January 2023 Aston Villa 1 Wolves 1 at Villa Park
6th May 2023 Wolves 1 Aston Villa 1 at Molineux
8th October 2023 Wolves 1 Aston Villa 1 at Molineux
30th March 2024 Aston Villa 2 Wolves 0 at Villa Park
21st September 2024 Aston Villa 3 Wolves 1 at Villa Park
do you remember?
Wolves 2 Aston Villa 1 2nd April 2022
Aston Villa started brighter, enjoying early possession.
Wolves took the lead in the 7th minute when Jonny found the net after two initial attempts were blocked by Aston Villa’s defence.
Despite numerous chances to extend their lead, Wolves eventually made it 2-0 through an own goal by Aston Villa’s Ashley Young. Under pressure from Trincão, Young headed a Marçal cross into his own net.
In the second half, Wolves continued to create opportunities but failed to add to their lead.
Late in the game, Aston Villa pulled one back. José Sá was judged to have fouled Ollie Watkins in the box, and Watkins converted the penalty, narrowly clipping the post before the ball went over the line. This set up a nervy finish for the home side.
Villa pushed hard with several set pieces near the end, but Wolves’ defense held strong, securing a 2-1 victory to the delight of their fans.
Wolves Team: Sa, Boly, Kilman, Marcal, Coady, Dendoncker, Jonny, Moutinho, Podence, Trincao, Silva.
Substitutes: Ruddy, Semedo, Toti, Ait Nouri, Saiss, Cundle, Neto, Chiquinho, Hwang.
Scorers: Jonny (7), Young (own goal 36).
Manager: Bruno Lage
Aston Villa Team: Martinez, Mings, Cash, Digne, Konsa, Bailey, McGinn, Ramsey, Sanson, Coutinho, Watkins.
Substitutes: Olsen, Chambers, Young, Buendia, Chukwuemeka, Luiz, Iroegbunam, Traore.
Scorer: Watkins (penalty 86)
Manager: Steven Gerrard
Attendance: 31,012
biggest win
- Division 1 – The biggest win between the two clubs was on the 3rd October 1934 and the game finished 5-2 to Wolves.
- Premier League – The biggest win between the two clubs was on the 16th October 2021 and the game finished 3-2 to Wolves.
- Championship – The biggest win between the two clubs was on the 14th October 2017 and the game finished 2-0 to Wolves.
- FA Cup – The biggest win between the two clubs was on the 27th January 1951 & 1st March 1965 and the games finished 3-1 to Wolves.
A LITTLE MORE HISTORY
Wolves 1 Aston Villa 0 14th January 2017
This derby was captivating and served as a heartfelt tribute to Graham Taylor, who sadly passed away two days earlier. Both clubs, whom Taylor had managed, honored his legacy with tributes before the match.
The game was an end-to-end affair, with both teams creating chances. Wolves struck first after a costly mistake by Sam Johnstone allowed Joe Mason to tap into an open net.
Aston Villa had opportunities to respond, including a close attempt from Ross McCormack, whose header sailed over the bar following Jordan Amavi’s cross. Despite their efforts, Villa didn’t manage a single shot on target throughout the game.
This meeting marked the first time the two sides faced each other in the second tier of English football. It also ended Aston Villa’s impressive run at Molineux, handing them their first defeat there in 11 visits—their last loss dating back to May 1978.
Wolves Team: Ikeme, Batth, Doherty, Stearman, Coady, Edwards, Price, Costa, Cavaleiro, Dicko, Mason.
Substitutes: Burgoyne, Hause, Iorfa, Saville, Gibbs-White, Bodvarsson, Enobakhare.
Scorer: Mason (15)
Manager: Paul Lambert
Aston Villa Team: Johnstone, Amavi, Chester, Hutton, Elphick, Bacuna, Jedinak, Adomah, Tshibola, Agbonlahor, McCormack.
Substitutes: Bunn, Westwood, Gardner, Grealish, Green, Davis.
Manager: Steve Bruce
Attendance: 27,255
biggest defeat
- Division 1 – The biggest defeat between the two clubs was on the 14th March 1891 & 25th December 1933 and the games finished 6-2 to Aston Villa.
- Premier League – The biggest defeat between the two clubs was on the 14th March 2004 and the game finished 4-0 to Aston Villa.
- FA Cup – The biggest defeat between the two clubs was on the 27th January 1894 and the game finished 4-2 to Aston Villa.
- League Cup – The biggest defeat between the two clubs was on the 7th October 1981 and the game finished 3-2 to Aston Villa.
- Championship – The biggest defeat between the two clubs was on the 10th March 2018 and the game finished 4-1 to Aston Villa.
HEAD TO HEAD
playing for both teams
Bill Baxter Played for Wolves 1945-1953 made 43 appearances and scored 1 goal and played for Aston Villa 1953-1957 made 98: appearances and scored 6 goals.
Tom Bennett Played for Aston Villa in his youth career 1984-1987 and first team in 1987-1988 and made no appearances and played for Wolves 1988-1995 made 115 appearances and scored 2 goals.
Paul Birch Played for Aston Villa 1980-1991 made 173 appearances and scored 16 goals and played for Wolves 1991-1996 made 142 appearances and scored 14 goals.
Andy Blair Played for Aston Villa 1981-1984 made 33 appearances and played for Wolves in a loan spell from Aston Villa made 10 appearances.
Mark Blake Played for Aston Villa 1989-1993 made 31 appearances and scored 2 goals and played for Wolves 1991 in a loan spell from Aston Villa made 2 appearances.
Peter Broadbent Played for Wolves 1951-1965 made 452 appearances and scored 127 goals and played for Aston Villa 1966-1969 made 64 appearances and scored 2 goals.
Mark Burke Played for Aston Villa 1985-1987 made 7 appearances and played for Wolves 1991-1994 made 68 appearances and scored 11 goals.
John Burridge Played for Aston Villa 1975-1978 made 65 appearances and played for Wolves 1982-1984 made 74 appearances.
Carlton Cole Played for Wolves 2002-2003 in a loan spell from Chelsea made 7 appearances and scored 1 goal and played for Aston Villa 2004-2005 in a loan spell from Chelsea made 27 appearances and scored 3 goals.
Gordon Cowans Played for Aston Villa 1976-1985 and 1993-1994 made 297 appearances and scored 42 goals and played for Wolves 1994-1995 made 37 appearances.
Tony Daley Played for Aston Villa 1985-1994 made 233 appearances and scored 31 goals and played for Wolves 1994-1998 made 21 appearances and scored 3 goals.
Leander Dendoncker Played for Wolves 2018-2019 in a loan spell and 2019-2022 permanent spell made 124 appearances and scored 9 goals and currently plays for Aston Villa 2022 and has made 36 appearances and scored 1 goal to this date.
Derek Dougan Played for Aston Villa 1961-1963 made 51 appearances and scored 19 goals and played for Wolves 1967-1975 made 258 appearances and scored 95 goals.
Rob Edwards Played for Aston Villa 1999-2004 for 8 appearances and played for Wolves 2004-2008 made 100 appearances and scored 1 goal.
Alun Evans Played for Wolves 1964-1968 made 22 appearances and scored 4 goals and played for Aston Villa 1972-1975 made 60 appearances and scored 11 goals.
Steve Froggatt Played for Aston Villa 1989-1994 made 35 appearances and scored 2 goals and played for Wolves 1994-1998 made 106 appearances and scored 7 goals.
Andy Gray Played for Aston Villa 1975-1979 made 113 appearances and scored 54 goals and played for Wolves 1979-1983 made 133 appearances and scored 38 goals.
Joey Gudjonsson Played for Aston Villa 2003 in a loan spell from Betis and made 11 appearances and scored 2 goals and played for Wolves 2003-2004 in a loan spell from Betis made 11 appearances.
Marlon Harewood Played for Aston Villa made 29 appearances and scored 5 goals and played for Wolves in a loan spell from Aston Villa 2009 made 5 appearances.
Kortney Hause Played for Wolves 2014-2019 made 69 appearances and scored 2 goals and played for Aston Villa 2019 loan spell and permanent deal 2019 to present day made 37 appearances and scored 4 goals.
Grant Holt Played for Aston Villa 2014 in a loan spell from Wigan Athletic made 10 appearances and scored 1 goal and played for Wolves in a loan spell from Wigan 2015-2016 made 4 appearances.
Hassan Kachloul Played for Aston Villa 2001-2004 made 22 appearances and scored 2 goals and played for Wolves 2003-2004 in a loan spell from Aston Villa made 4 appearances.
Robbie Keane Played for Wolves 1996-1999 made 73 appearances and scored 24 goals and played for Aston Villa 2012 in a loan spell from LA Galaxy made 6 appearances and scored 3 goals.
Mike Kenning Played for Aston Villa made 3 appearances and played for Wolves 1968-1969 made 41 appearances and scored 5 goals.
Joleon Lescott Played for Wolves 2000-2006 made 212 appearances and scored 13 goals and played for Aston Villa 2015-2016 made 30 appearances and scored 1 goal.
Emiliano Martínez Played for Wolves in a loan spell from Arsenal 2015-2016 made 13 appearances and currently plays for Aston Villa 2020- made 188 appearances.
Peter McParland Played for Aston Villa 1952-1962 made 293 appearances and scored 98 goals and played for Wolves 1962-1963 made 21 appearances and scored 10 goals.
Derek Mountfield Played for Aston Villa 1988-1991 made 90 appearances and scored 9 goals and played for Wolves 1991-1994 made 83 appearances and scored 4 goals.
Michael Oakes Played for Aston Villa 1991-1999 made 52 appearances and played for Wolves 1999-2007 made 199 appearances.
Dennis Pearce Played for Aston Villa 1993-1995 made no first team appearances and played for Wolves 1995-1997 made 9 appearances.
Stefan Postma Played for Aston Villa 2002-2006 made 13 appearances and played for Wolves 2005-2006 in a loan spell and permanent spell made 29 appearances.
Roy Pritchard Played for Wolves 1945-1955 made 202 appearances and played for Aston Villa 1955-1957 made 3 appearances.
Cyrille Regis Played for Aston Villa 1991-1993 made 52 appearances and scored 12 goals and played for Wolves 1993-1994 made 19 appearances and scored 2 goals.
Phil Robinson Played for Aston Villa 1985-1987 made 3 appearances and scored 1 goal and played for Wolves 1987-1989 made 71 appearances and scored 8 goals.
Matija Sarkic Played for Aston Villa 2015-2020 made no appearances and played for Wolves 2020-2023 made 3 league cup appearances.
Nigel Sims Played for Wolves 1948-1956 made 38 appearances and played for Aston Villa 1956-1964 made 264 appearances.
Les Smith Played for Wolves 1947-1956 made 88 appearances and scored 22 goals and played for Aston Villa 1956-1960 made 115 appearances and scored 24 goals.
Barry Stobart Played for Wolves 1953-1964 made 49 appearances and scored 20 goals and played for Aston Villa 1964-1967 made 45 appearances and scored 18 goals.
Adama Traore Played for Aston Villa made 11 appearances and played for Wolves 2018-2023 made 157 appearances scored 10 goals.
Mark Walters Played for 1981-1987 made 181 appearances and scored 39 goals and played for Wolves 1994-1995 in a loan spell from Liverpool made 11 appearances and scored 3 goals.
Andreas Weimann Played for Aston Villa 2007-2015 made 113 appearances and scored 17 goals and played for Wolves 2017 in a loan spell from Derby County made 19 appearances and scored 2 goals.
Guy Whittingham Played for Aston Villa 1993-1994 made 25 appearances and scored 5 goals and played for Wolves in two loan spells 1994 from Aston Villa and other from Sheffield Wednesday 1998 made 23 appearances and scored 9 goals.
Peter Withe Played for Wolves 1973-1975 made 17 appearances and scored 3 goals and played for Aston Villa 1980-1985 made 182 appearances and scored 74 goals.
Other Players that also played for both clubs.
Derek Ashton, Ron Atkinson, Gordon Clayton, Stan Collymore, Geoff Crudgington, Will Devey, Dick Dorsett, Jordan Graham, Tommy Green, George Harper, George Harris, Bob Iverson, Billy Kellock, George Kinsey, Dariusz Kubicki, Andy Marshall, Bobby McDonald, Frank Moss, Charlie Phillips, Ian Ross, Geoff Sidebottom, Cyril Spiers, Edwin Steventon, Bobby Thomson, Tom Waring, Evan Williams.
Played, Coached, Managed Both Teams
Major Frank Buckley Played for Aston Villa 1902-1904 made no appearances and managed Wolves 1927-1944.
Stuart Gray Played for Aston Villa 1987-1991 made 106 appearances and scored 9 goals and was also caretaker manager 2002 and was Wolves 2004 Assistant Manager and Caretaker Manager.
Brian Little Played for Aston Villa 1971-1980 made 247 appearances and scored 60 goals and also managed Aston Villa 1994-1998 and caretaker managed Wolves in 1986.
Dean Saunders Played for Aston Villa 1992-1995 played 112 games and scored 37 goals and managed Wolves 2013 in a 4-month spell.
Graham Taylor Managed Aston Villa 1987-1990 and Managed Wolves 1994-1995.
Neil Cutler Goalkeeping coach for Aston Villa 2018-2022 and was Wolves goalkeeper coach 2023-2024.
Paul Lambert Managed Aston Villa 2012-2015 and Managed Wolves 2016-2017.
ARTICLE BY KARL WHITEHOUSE
I’ve been a dedicated Wolves fan for over 30 years, supporting the team through the highs and lows of the 80s, 90s, and 00s. I’ve followed them home and away, growing my love for the game into a passion for analyzing Wolves’ performances, especially diving into the stats behind their Premier League matches.
As the go-to person for Wolves stats on podcasts, I also love exploring football history for deeper insights. One of my proudest achievements is completing the journey to all 92 Football League grounds.