Leander Dendoncker scored the only goal of the game as Wolves closed the gap on Chelsea in 4th while Aston Villa remained in the drop zone one point off safety.
If one passage of play summed up Aston Villa's season, it was around the ten minute mark. Matt Targett, in the motion of playing a routine pass to the centre back, injured his hamstring and was forced off. Something so basic causing a needless problem.
Villa are battling relegation and Wolves are in the Champions League race so in a derby game, caution is expected. Neither side looked to take the initiative so the first chance came just before twenty minutes had been played. Raul Jimenez headed a cross from Joao Moutinho straight at Orjan Nyland who fumbled the ball (a sign of things to come). It wasn't a quality header like against West Ham or Bournemouth but Jimenez should've done better.
Matt Doherty rampaged down the right wing and hit the side netting before Jimenez, again down the right, crossed looking for Diogo Jota at the back post but he couldn't reach the ball. Wolves were yet to test Nyland but they had posed more problems than Villa had.
Adama Traore had to settle for a place on the bench as Nuno Espirito Santo went for three midfielders instead of two. They were winning the midfield battle and the defenders were dominating Keinan Davis, Ally Samatta and Jack Grealish. Villa were restricted to looping headers well over the bar from Davis and Kortney Hause as they couldn't play through Wolves. Their first shot on target was one from Grealish on the edge of the box in the 37th minute.
Nyland's handling had already seen some exposure but when he had the ball in his hands, looking to start an attack, there were no fears. Then, perhaps a lack of concentration, the ball slipped out of his hands to the feet of Jota. Like the viewers, Jota must've been surprised the chance had arisen so he rushed it, smashing the ball over when he easily could've side footed into the bottom corner.
It was a let off for Villa who would have the last chance of the half. Davis made use of his strong frame to hold the ball up, knock it to Grealish and onto Conor Hourihane but his effort was blocked by Jonny at the last minute.
A draw against Wolves is a good result for Villa but the reverse not for Wolves. Espirito Santo had to act and Traore was readied on the 60th minute. Would Espirito Santo remove one of the midfielders and go three up top or a straight swap with Jota? It was the latter, but Traore would have little impact in the goal that would come a minute later.
Jimenez picked up a position on the left wing and curled a pass to Jonny who had continued his run into the area. He layed the ball to Dendoncker and he shot into the bottom corner. A midfielder had made an advanced run and was rewarded. Wolves were doing this all game but Villa didn't gamble.
Half an hour passed and nothing happened. Villa never posed any questions of the Wolves defence and the away side were happy to keep their lead intact.
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