Wolves Sink Aston Villa with Convincing 2-0 Victory at Molineux

Wolves secured a crucial 2-0 win over Aston Villa in a heated West Midlands derby at Molineux, punishing a fatigued Villa side and climbing out of the Premier League’s bottom three. Goals from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Matheus Cunha sealed a well-deserved victory for Vítor Pereira’s disciplined team, as Aston Villa's struggles on the road continued.

Wolves’ Defensive Resurgence Under Pereira

Since Pereira took charge, Wolves have displayed a newfound defensive solidity, keeping three clean sheets in their eight Premier League matches under his management—more than in the final 33 games under former boss Gary O’Neil. This latest shutout showcased their growing confidence at the back, as Villa, missing key chances and lacking sharpness, failed to break through.

Villa, still feeling the effects of their Champions League exertions, looked sluggish from the outset. Wolves capitalized on their energy advantage, dominating the first half and opening the scoring through Bellegarde. The midfielder finished off a well-worked move, rewarding Wolves for their persistent attacking pressure. Despite their superiority, the hosts only had the one goal to show for their efforts before the break.

Villa’s Away Woes Continue

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa have now lost six of their last eight away league games (W1 D1), a worrying trend that threatens their ambitions of securing a top-four finish. Since the start of November, no team has suffered more away defeats in the Premier League than Villa, with six—equal to relegation-threatened Leicester City.

Their struggles in attack were evident once again, as they failed to score for the sixth time this season—a tally that already matches their total from the entire 2023-24 campaign. With a lowly expected goals (xG) figure of just 0.51, Villa rarely troubled Wolves' well-organized backline. To compound their misery, star striker Ollie Watkins was forced off at halftime due to injury, further limiting their offensive threat.

Cunha Seals the Win Late On

Despite keeping Wolves at bay for much of the second half, Villa lacked the firepower to stage a comeback. The hosts remained disciplined and eventually struck the decisive second goal in stoppage time, as Cunha capitalized on Villa’s tired legs to put the game beyond reach. Wolves finished with an xG of 1.57, reflecting their superior attacking performance.

What’s Next?

Aston Villa will now have to regroup ahead of their FA Cup clash against Tottenham Hotspur in eight days, hoping to rediscover their form and shake off their away-day blues. Wolves, buoyed by this vital victory, will also turn their attention to the FA Cup, where they travel to Blackburn Rovers on the same day.

For now, though, Pereira and his men can celebrate a massive win that not only lifts them out of the relegation zone but also sends a clear message that Wolves are up for the fight in the Premier League.