Adam Armstrong: Southampton transfer mistake involving Wolves can be quickly forgotten now
The January transfer window brought a controversial move when Southampton sold adam armstrong to Wolves, a decision that sparked debate as Saints chased promotion. The club replaced him with Cyle Larin on loan from Mallorca and early signs suggest the gamble might be working.
Adam Armstrong and the January sale
Southampton’s winter activity followed a disappointing first half of the season, after which Will Still’s appointment did not work out and Tonda Eckert’s positive impression saw him land the job on a permanent basis. Despite an upturn in form under the former U21 boss, Eckert and the club judged changes were needed in the January transfer window to close the gap and reach the play-off places.
The decision to sell Adam Armstrong to Wolves in January caused a lot of debate. The ex-Blackburn striker had been a guaranteed goalscorer at this level: in the 2023/24 campaign he found the net 24 times, including scoring the winner in the play-off final to take Southampton to the Premier League. This season, while he had not replicated that peak form, Armstrong was still the top scorer at St. Mary’s Stadium with 11 goals in 29 games, placing him among the best in the league before his departure.
How Cyle Larin fits
Southampton effectively replaced Armstrong with Cyle Larin on loan from Mallorca. Larin’s CV worried some Saints fans: although he has played for notable clubs, he has only hit double figures in the league once since moving to Europe almost a decade ago, and he underwhelmed and barely featured for Feyenoord. That said, Larin is a completely different profile to Armstrong in size and physicality, and his powerful frame appears better suited to the current XI.
As he proved against QPR, Larin is willing to battle with centre-backs, will run the channels and acts as a more traditional focal point. Like Ross Stewart, Larin will occupy defenders and free space for the attacking trio behind, whereas Armstrong would often drop deep and risk making the attack more congested and easier to defend. Larin has scored two in five since his arrival, a decent return given the minutes he has played.
Squad balance and player roles
The change is not presented as a dismissal of Armstrong’s qualities. Rather, Leo Scienza, Finn Azaz and Tom Fellows are viewed as better playing with an old-school number nine. With Stewart also in good form, Eckert will be pleased, but the Scotsman’s fitness issues mean he must be managed carefully during the run-in, which could give Larin plenty of chances to show his worth. The early signs indicate the January gamble to bring Larin in to replace Armstrong could pay off.
Wolverhampton Wanderers win
On the pitch for Wolves, a separate story unfolded as Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Aston Villa 2-0. FT: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 Aston Villa, with Joao Gomes opening before Rodrigo Gomes struck the second. Second-half goals from João Gomes and Rodrigo Gomes roused the Molineux faithful and continued Villa’s slide.
Mané led a three-on-three counter that set the chance up: João Gomes saw his shot blocked but it fell to Rodrigo Gomes, who found the net. Late drama included 90+6 minutes when Cash’s long throw was met by Maatsen’s mis-hit shot to Onana; Sá got a hand on it and Mosquera cleared off the line. At 90+4 minutes Alysson could not keep the ball in play on the left, and at 90+3 minutes all four Gomes were on for Wolves.
Aston Villa reaction
Unai Emery, the Aston Villa manager, said: "We are doing a fantastic season. We are performing fantastic overall and being consistent. Today we lost, but in the first half we played fantastically. We dominated, created chances. Second half we started poor. They got at our box but didn't' create much. After they scored, the match changes. They stopped the rhythm of the game. We deserved more than seven minutes [added on] to play]. We continue working, being positive, we are motivated for the Premier League because the position we are in is fantastic. It's above our expectation from before the season. Now is the moment to be together and remind ourselves where we are. We lost, but they are a good team with good players. Congratulations to Wolves, the coach and the players. They [Manchester United and Chelsea] are favourites [for Champions League] because of the strength they have. We are there at the moment, but normally they are favourites. "
One observer noted: "You can't get away from the fact that this is an embarrassing result for Villa. Wolves had only won one game all season! Sixth place finish now I'm afraid. " The result drew suggestions that at the end of the season this slip could prove costly for Villa and have major implications for their hopes of returning to the Champions League.
Wolves' staff and supporters
Wolves boss Rob Edwards said: "Defending was amazing, there was desire to block and defend our goal with our lives. You need that not just in a derby, but all the time. We have been more solid - the stats over the last 15 games, we are right up there for defensive work. But the odd defensive mistake, you get punished at this level. We're improving, that's all we can do. We'll keep our heads down and stay grounded. We will show spirit and fight and keep picking up as many points a we can. " On Jackson Tchatchoua he added: "He's a really honest guy, he gives everything. Because he's so quick there's an expectation he beats a man and puts a cross in. I want him to be brave and positive and on the front foot. His defensive works was excellent as well. I always want people to stick by the lads and keep backing them. Even if he makes a mistake, keep backing him. A few weeks ago Villa lost their whole first choice midfield. People don't seem to understand. We are starting again. It's essentially a new team. Every point, home or away, is mint. "
Wolves keeper Jose Sá said: "It was a very good performance from every single player. Villa did well but our fans deserve this win. It means a lot to them because it is a derby. It was great to give them this win tonight. We have a lot of strong character and we will keep fighting game by game and see what happens. From the whole of the team, we defended and attacked well. A clean sheet is good for everyone. We will keep fighting. Even today I have said we should have played like this from the beginning [of the season], but we will keep fighting. "
Edwards was described as bouncing between all four corners of the ground at full-time, even thanking a steward for his efforts. One comment read: "He won’t get much credit, because Wolves are doomed, and they have been for months, but Rob Edwards has quietly done a decent job at Wolves. They are now competitive in most games, and if he’d been there for the season, they wouldn’t be safe, but they’d be in ‘two out of these four will go down’ conversation with Spurs, Forest, and West Ham. You have to say, credit to Wolves. They are surely doomed but they showed up tonight and even if they don’t survive, it’s performances like that will offer hope for next season. "
It is official that Wolves will not be the worst team in Premier League history: tonight's win takes them up to 13 points, two more than the record-low tally of 11 that Derby County achieved in 2007-08. Villa’s miserable run at Molineux continues, and Manchester United can overtake Villa with a win this weekend.
Ben Fisher's match report was referenced in coverage of the game.
Across both stories, the sale of adam armstrong and Wolves’ derby victory present immediate talking points for two clubs heading in very different directions.
