Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers – prediction, team news, lineups

Freshly arrived after having started their Champions League journey successfully in Switzerland, Aston Villa return to Premier League action on Saturday, where they host their local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers at Villa Park.

While Villa were on their way to victory in Europe, Wolves were knocked out of the EFL Cup in midweek, continuing their miserable start to the season.

Match Preview

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After a four-decade wait, Aston Villa were back in the European top flight on Tuesday as they travelled to Bern for a Champions League encounter against Swiss Super League champions Young Boys and came away with maximum points.

After taking the time to adapt to the synthetic pitch at the Wankdorf stadium, the goals of Youri Tielemans et Jacob Ramsey then put the Villans in control, and two more finishes were ruled out by VAR for handball before Amadou Onana sealed the deal with a superb strike from 30 yards.

This makes three wins in a row for Unai EmeryThe men, who had fought back to beat Everton three days earlier, with the star striker Ollie Watkins scoring twice to tie the game before the super-sub John Duran hit a spectacular winner.

Villa have won three of their four Premier League games so far, losing to likely title contenders Arsenal, and only three times previously have the Birmingham club won as many as four of their first five games.

Emery will no doubt be aiming to achieve that feat as his busy schedule continues to accelerate: his side face Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Cup next week, shortly before they meet 1982 European Cup finalists Bayern Munich.

However, he will be particularly aware of Villa’s shortcomings at Villa Park since the end of 2023. Between March last year and Christmas, they conceded just eight goals in 16 Premier League home games; since then, they have conceded 26 in 12 – and at least two in each of the last four.

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Although Wolves were beaten 2-0 in the last league meeting between the sides, they have actually lost just one of their last five league games at Villa Park before making the short trip across the West Midlands this weekend.

There are few other good omens for Gary O’Neil and company to cling to, as they have won just one of their last 14 Premier League games since the end of last season, losing no fewer than 10 times.

It represents Wolverhampton’s worst run in over two years, and since the start of March they have also won fewer points (nine) than any other current Premier League team.

They now sit 18th in the table with just one point so far this season – only newcomers Southampton and crisis-hit Everton sit below them.

Wolves have conceded a league-high three goals from outside the box after succumbing to two long-range strikes in last week’s 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United, so they may well be wary of spot-kicks from the likes of Tielemans and Duran.

There was no respite in midweek for O’Neil on Wednesday as his side were knocked out of the EFL Cup by Brighton & Hove Albion. With goals from Goncalo Guedes et Tommy Doyle not enough to prevent defeat at the Amex, he will be desperate to start turning things around on Saturday.

Aston Villa Premier League standings:

Aston Villa form (all competitions):

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2019/2020 Premier League season results:

Wolverhampton Wanderers form (all competitions):

Team News

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Léon Bailey was not risked on Young Boys’ plastic pitch in midweek, but Aston Villa’s Jamaican winger could be involved this weekend – most likely from the bench.

Unai Emery has suggested Ollie Watkins should be fit enough to play, even though the England striker was seen with ice applied to his ankle after being substituted in Switzerland.

Watkins has been involved in seven goals in his last six home games, but Jhon Duran is a capable substitute if needed. The latter has scored the winner in each of Villa’s league wins this season – all three as a substitute – and also had his stunning goal ruled out by VAR on Tuesday: no one has ever scored four winners from the bench in a season in the entire history of the Premier League.

Once again, long-term absentees Boubacar Camera et Tyrone Mings – both having resumed full training – join Matty Cash et Jaden Philogene on the key.

Meanwhile, Wolves have made around ten changes to their squad for Wednesday’s EFL Cup clash, with just João Gomes retained in the starting team against Newcastle.

Gary O’Neil will now recall his main men, with Matheus Cunha et Jorgen Strand Larsen ready to join forces at the front, while Sam Johnstone should replace José Sa in the goal.

Toti Gomeswho scored in Wolves’ win over Villa last year, could overcome a hamstring strain; however, Rayan Ait-Nouri may be missing. Sasa Kalajdzic, Enzo Gonzalez et Boubacar Traore are all unavailable.

Possible Aston Villa starting lineup:
Martínez; Nedeljkovic, Konsa, Torres, Digne ; Onana, Tielemans; McGinn, Ramsey, Rogers ; Watkins

Possible Wolverhampton Wanderers starting lineup:
Johnstone ; Semedo, Mosquera, Dawson, Toti ; Bellegarde, J. Gomes, Lemina, R. Gomes; Coin; Larsen

Nous disons : Aston Villa 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Goals should be guaranteed as Aston Villa are particularly effective at home and Wolves are constantly conceding goals. With a big win last time out, Villa can ride the momentum and overcome their struggling local rivals.

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