Wolves moved one point above the relegation zone after edging Aston Villa 2-0 in a match that exposed Villa’s attacking options. Villa’s decision to sell Jhon Duran exposed the weakness in its attacking options as Ollie Watkins got injured against Wolves. Duran was sold to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on Friday to leave Watkins, for whom Arsenal made a bid earlier in the week, as the only recognised striker at the club.
But he did not return after half-time at Molineux due to an apparent groin injury in a game which was settled by goals from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Matheus Cunha. Villa are desperately trying to add players before Monday’s transfer deadline, with a deal for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford almost complete, and their need for reinforcements intensified on Saturday. Villa endured another Champions League hangover as they failed to win for the seventh time after a midweek European adventure this season.
Wolves on the other hand were excellent in their approach to the game, halting a four-match losing streak, to move one place away from the relegation zone. Unai Emery made four substitutions at half-time and saw Donyell Malan have a goal chalked out for offside, but his side were deservedly beaten. Villa were back in action less than 72 hours after their breathless win over Celtic and the hangover hit them hard as they fell behind in the 12th minute.
The hosts battled hard to win the ball, allowing Pablo Sarabia to slide in Bellegarde, who fizzed .