watch our preview for Aston Villa v wolves
TEAM NEWS
Wolves may give a debut to new forward Matheus Cunha, who has been included in the squad for the Villa Park clash. Boubacar Traore, who was an unused substitute against Manchester United, could feature after a groin injury. Lopetegui was cagey regarding injuries in his press conference, this may mean Diego Costa is injured after being subbed at half time against Manchester United.
Aston Villa will assess John McGinn, Douglas Luiz and Ezri Konsa, who were all substituted because of injury concerns during the win over Tottenham. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez awaits his first appearance since lifting the World Cup with Argentina last month.
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head to head
julen Lopetegui
The Spaniard confirmed forward Matheus Cunha would be in the Wolves squad for the trip to Villa Park after joining on loan from Atletico Madrid this week.
He described Cunha as a “complete player”, adding Wanderers can deploy him in virtually any attacking position they see fit.
Lopetegui praised his Villa counterpart and compatriot Unai Emery’s impact at Wolves’ West Midlands rivals, labelling him “a very good coach” who has “improved Villa a lot” and who he has “big respect” for.
The Wolves boss admitted his “very short squad” needs reinforcements in January, adding “in some positions we have overload and in others we have very few players”.
Lopetegui said he “felt the energy in the stadium” in his first Premier League match at Molineux against Manchester United on Saturday and added “each match in England has its special environment”.
He added that Raul Jimenez is “feeling better” after his injury-hit season and World Cup campaign with Mexico but must fight for selection like every other player, having been a substitute in Wolves’ past two games.
match facts
Head-to-head
- Wolves are looking for a third win in a row in this West Midlands derby, having done the double over Villa last season.
- Villa haven’t won any of their last six home matches against Wolves in the Premier League (D3, L3).
Aston Villa
- Villa have won three of their last four league matches.
- Six of their 19 league goals have been scored in the first 15 minutes of games.
- Villa have scored just one goal in the final quarter of matches in this season’s Premier League, the joint-lowest total along with Wolves.
- Ollie Watkins has been involved in at least one goal in his last three home Premier League appearances, with two goals and an assist.
- Danny Ings has scored in three successive appearances against Wolves in all competitions.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Wolves have lost three of their past four league games but earned four points from the last six available away from home.
- The 2-1 victory over Everton in their most recent Premier League away fixture ended a 13-match winless run on the road (D3, L10).
- Wolves have kept just one clean sheet in their eight away league games this season.
- Julen Lopetegui and Unai Emery will become the first managers to meet in both La Liga and the Premier League in the same season.
match officials
Referee: Jarred Gillett. Assistants: Adam Nunn, James Mainwaring. Fourth official: Andy Madley. VAR: Simon Hooper. Assistant VAR: Simon Bennett.
match info
Kick off is 8pm at Villa Park