WATCH FOR OUR PREVIEW OF WOLVES VS VILLA
TEAM NEWS
Aston Villa might see the return of defender Matty Cash, as he’s back in training after a hamstring injury. Manager Unai Emery is set to give a fitness update later on Friday. Leon Bailey missed the last league match, and Jaden Philogene didn’t play in Tuesday’s victory over Young Boys. Ollie Watkins had to ice his ankle after being taken off during that game.
Wolves are keeping an eye on defenders Rayan Ait-Nouri and Toti, who are both dealing with injuries. Meanwhile, Boubacar Traore is sidelined until Christmas due to knee surgery. Key players like Matheus Cunha, Nelson Semedo, and Craig Dawson are expected to return to the starting line-up after spending midweek on the bench.
GARY O'NEIL
On injuries to Toti Gomes, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Boubacar Traore: “Need to check on Toti and Rayan today in training to see how they go – neither of them has done too much this week. Both have still got a bit to do. Bouba is still out [and] on crutches at the moment. He had a repair to the joint surface in his knee and he will probably be out until about Christmas. “
O’Neil also confirmed that centre-back Yerson Mosquera is available this weekend.
On Goncalo Guedes’ return to the side: “We just made him believe he’s got a chance if he shows something. He shows he’s willing to work and buy in and add quality. He’s had a good start to the season when you consider where he was in the group a year or so ago to where he is now. It has been a really big upturn and he looks like he can be a goal threat.”
However, O’Neil also said that Guedes is not in contention to start after playing 82 minutes against Brighton in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
He is unhappy with the results so far but determined to turn them around: “I absolutely despise losing as everybody does.My job is to make sure the group is always ready for what comes next. I don’t shirk away from any of these challenges.”
He understands the rollercoaster nature of a season: “I’m comfortable that the group understand well enough now that in a Premier League season, there will be some tough moments. We don’t accept them, we’re not stood here saying it is acceptable to lose games because the opposition are good. It’s not acceptable.”
Meanwhile, he dismissed worries of tiredness: “The boys are good. They trained yesterday and didn’t show any signs of fatigue or having not recovered. We’re yet to train today, but I’m sure they will be bright.”
The appeal of a derby game should also inspire his players: “It’s one we enjoyed [last season], especially the home game was a great game [with] two teams going at it. We went away to Aston Villa late last season with a lot of injury issues but we were still able to put up a fight and we go there tomorrow looking to win. I have huge belief in the group that we can go to Aston Villa and win.”
MATCH STATS & FACTS
Head-to-head
Aston Villa are vying to win consecutive Premier League games against Wolves for the first time since 2004.
Wolves’ 2-0 defeat in last season’s corresponding fixture ended their unbeaten four-match league run at Villa Park (W2, D2).
Aston Villa
Villa have conceded 26 goals in their past 12 top-flight home matches (2.2 per game), compared to just eight in their previous 16.
They can earn four wins from their opening five Premier League games for the fourth time, having done so in 1998, 2009 and 2020.
Jhon Duran has come off the bench to score the winning goal in all three of Villa’s league wins this term. No player has scored four winning goals as a substitute in a Premier League season.
Ollie Watkins has been involved in seven goals in his last six home league games, scoring four and assisting three.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves’ tally of one point from four games represents their joint worst start to a Premier League campaign, matching their record in 2003-04, when they eventually ended bottom.
They have won one of their past 14 league fixtures (D3, L10) and are winless in seven – losing six – since beating Luton 2-1 in April.
It is their longest run without a top-flight victory since a 12-game sequence between April and August 2022.
Wolves have lost an unrivalled 11 Premier League matches since the start of March. Their return of nine points during that time is a league-low for ever-present teams.
They have conceded a league-high three goals from outside the penalty area this season, including twice in their 2-1 defeat by Newcastle last weekend.
All four of their top-flight goals this term have been scored in the second half.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Tim Robinson. Assistants: Tim Wood, Steve Meredith. Fourth official: Tom Nield. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Neil Davies.
MATCH INFO
This one kicks off on Saturday 21st September at 3pm and is not shown live on UK television.