It's a Midlands Derby on Sunday as Wolves play host to Aston Villa at Molineux, with both sides looking to snatch a win before the international break. Despite struggling during the early part of the season, both are beginning to find their stride and will be hoping a win can drag them away from the relegation zone.
Since an unexpected 2-0 victory away at Manchester City, Wolves have struggled to score goals and have drawn each of their last three league games 1-1, leaving them 12th in the table - although they will be boosted by a last-gasp victory over Slovan Bratislava in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Aston Villa have been in among the goals all season - scoring an impressive 16 - but have been leaky at the back, conceding 18 in just 11 games. They will enter this match brimming with belief though, having nearly eked out a win against current leaders Liverpool in their last match.
Where to Watch
When Is Kick Off? | Sunday 10th November |
What Time Is Kick Off? | 14:00 (BST) |
Where Is It Played? | Molineux Stadium |
TV Channel/Live Stream? | Sky Sports Premier League |
Referee? | Anthony Taylor |
Team News
Aston Villa will be hoping Jack Grealish can recover in time from the calf injury that kept him out of the Villain’s defeat to Liverpool. Right-back Frederic Guilbert also faces a battle to be fit for Saturday; the Frenchman is currently struggling with a dead leg.
Predicted Lineups
Wolves | Rui Patricio, Dendoncker, Coady, Saiss, Doherty, Joao Moutinho, Ruben Neves, Jonny Castro, Traore, Diogo Jota, Jimenez |
Aston Villa | Heaton; Guilbert, Engels, Mings, Targett; McGinn, Nakamba, Douglas Luiz; Trezeguet, Wesley, Grealish |
Head-to-Head Record
These two have already faced each other once this season with Aston Villa taking a 2-1 victory at home in the Carabao Cup. Before then, the last time these two sides met was back in the Championship where they each took a home victory. Villa won 4-1 in their second meeting that season after Wolves had comfortably dispatched the Villain’s 2-0 at Molineux a few months prior.
Recent Form
A campaign in Europe this season seems to be taking its toll on Wolves. Despite an impressive clean sheet victory away at Manchester City, Wolves have only managed to collect two wins so far this season.
Aston Villa meanwhile are beginning to show they belong in this league. Despite a slow start, they have managed to rack up 16 goals this season and managed to run Liverpool very close in a late 2-1 defeat most recently. They did destroy lowly Norwich 5-1 away not too long ago and followed that up with a late win against Brighton. Despite their danger up front, Villa have leaked goals at the back which is why they find themselves in 16th place.
Here are both team's last five results:
Wolves | Aston Villa |
Wolves 1-0 Slovan Bratislava (07/11) | Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool (2/9) |
Arsenal 1-1 Wolves (02/11) | Aston Villa 2-1 Wolves (30/10) |
Aston Villa 2-1 Wolves (30/10) | Manchester City 3-0 Aston Villa (26/10) |
Newcastle 1-1 Wolves (27/10) | Aston Villa 2-1 Brighton (19/10) |
Slovan Bratislave 1-2 Wolves (24/10) | Norwich 1-5 Aston Villa (5/10) |
Prediction
Wolves have become draw specialists this season and this game is likely to end the same way. Aston Villa will likely start fast and aggressive. With the likes of John McGinn in their side, they will be expecting to create chances for Wesley up top.
However, they are struggling at the back and Wolves have shown their ability to create chances. Both teams will likely cancel one another out.
Wolves 2-2 Aston Villa
Source : 90min