Wolves v Aston Villa

Last updated : 24 September 2010 By BBC Sport

Aston Villa's Stewart Downing returns after being rested on Wednesday to protect a gashed shin, but Richard Dunne (knee) is unlikely to be fit.

Gabriel Agbonlahor, who limped off against Blackburn, will be assessed, as will midfielder Stephen Ireland.

Wolves

Doubtful: Edwards (ankle), Van Damme (calf)

Injured: Hunt (foot), Kightly (knee), Zubar (ankle)

Aston Villa

Doubtful: Agbonlahor (calf), Dunne (knee), Clark & Ireland (both dead leg)

Injured: Delph (knee), Weimann (ankle)

MATCH PREVIEW

Wolves play Aston Villa for the 101st time in league football looking to end a 30-year winless run against their Midlands rivals.

If we relax and think we're going to be fine because we've signed some players, that's when it will bite us. We need to keep that bit of fear in us and keep playing well

Wolves striker Kevin Doyle

The trip to Molineux is Villa's first league game under new boss Gerard Houllier. On Sunday the Frenchman will take charge of his first Premier League game match since 2004, having guided the Villans to a Carling Cup win against Blackburn in midweek.

Emile Heskey, who started Houllier's last match as Liverpool boss, was the catalyst for victory over Rovers, coming off the bench to score one goal and create two more. If the much-derided target man can continue that kind of form, the Holte End sceptics will have to admit Houllier has the Midas touch.

Wolves have the Premier League's worst disciplinary record, having conceded 80 fouls so far, while Villa's tally of 75 is the joint second highest figure in the top flight.

It would probably be unwise to mention that statistic to Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, who last week hit out at "unfair and unjust" media coverage of his side. The Irishman told Match of the Day he was fed up with answering questions about his side's tackling, insisting Wolves do not get enough credit for the football they play.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Wolves hosted Aston Villa on the opening day of the inaugural Football League season in 1888. That game ended 1-1. Both of last season's meetings also ended all square (1-1 at Molineux, 2-2 at Villa Park).

• Villa are unbeaten in their last 16 league and cup matches against Wolves (W12, D4) since a 3-1 home defeat on 10 March 1980.

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Wolves

• Wolves have lost their last two Premier League games, but are unbeaten in their last eight league and cup matches at Molineux. Their last home defeat was a 1-0 loss to Manchester United on 6 March.

• In their five league games this season Wolves have scored six goals from only 10 shots on target.

• Wolves have picked up 16 bookings in their last three league matches, plus one red card.

Aston Villa

• The last league match new boss Gerard Houllier took charge of in English football was Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Newcastle in May 2004.

• Villa have lost their last three away league games, leaking 11 goals.

• Last season they won nine Premier League games on the road, a tally bettered by only Chelsea (10) and Manchester United (11).

LEADING GOALSCORERS

Wolves

Fletcher: 3 goals (2 league)

Aston Villa

A Young: 3 goals (1 league)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Mark Halsey

Assistant referees: Simon Beck & Stephen Child

Fourth official: Lee Mason

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

Wolves (L1-3 v Tottenham, a): Hahnemann, Foley, Stearman, Craddock, Mancienne (Bent 90), Ward, Henry, David Jones, Jarvis (Van Damme 54), Doyle, Fletcher (Edwards 58).

Subs Not Used: Hennessey, Elokobi, Ebanks-Blake, Guedioura

Aston Villa (D1-1 v Bolton, h): Friedel, Luke Young, Collins, Dunne (Cuellar 46), Warnock, Petrov, Albrighton, Ireland (Carew 72), Downing, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor.

Subs Not Used: Guzan, Heskey, Reo-Coker, Clark, Bannan.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport