Wolves Vs Aston Villa: Joao Gomes and Rodrigo Gomes fire bottom club to 2-0 Molineux win
The bottom club completed a 2-0 victory over third-placed Aston Villa in a wet West Midlands derby at Molineux, a result that matters now because it rescued Wolves from matching Derby’s all-time Premier League low and intensified pressure on Villa as they head into a key run of fixtures. Wolves Vs Aston Villa delivered two decisive finishes — one in open play and one deep into stoppage time — and the result reshapes short-term anxieties on both sides of the city.
Wolves Vs Aston Villa: Result at Molineux
Wolves beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Molineux. Joao Gomes scored the opener after a neat attacking move and substitute Rodrigo Gomes sealed the win on the break with just about the last kick in stoppage time. The match was played in wet conditions in Wolverhampton and the victory allowed Rob Edwards’ side to overhaul Derby’s all-time Premier League low points haul, removing the prospect of that particular ignominy for this season.
Joao Gomes and Rodrigo Gomes: Goals, build-up and match events
Wolves’ breakthrough arrived after a slick attacking move, with Adam Armstrong playing a delicate lay-off that presented Joao Gomes a chance he finished cleanly. Villa had moments in the first half — Ollie Watkins had a shot blocked, Pau Torres headed wide and Douglas Luiz volleyed at Wolves keeper Jose Sa — but rarely seriously threatened. Toti Gomes had Wolves’ best early opening when he miscued a shot on his return.
Unai Emery made a double change on the hour in an attempt to ignite Villa, and Tammy Abraham was introduced as part of Villa’s response. Despite that, Wolves defended resolutely and, deep into stoppage time, substitute Rodrigo Gomes broke clear and beat Emi Martinez to finish the second goal on the break.
Rob Edwards: Celebration, emotion and aftermath
Manager Rob Edwards described the night as a special moment in a really difficult season, saying it helped build a connection he and the players have been seeking. He admitted losing himself in the celebrations, suggested his daughters might have been bemused, and said he even pulled his calf and put his foot through a board while celebrating. The manager framed the victory as one to savour against a strong opponent.
Player ratings and personnel details
The published match ratings listed Wolves players as: Sa, Tchatchoua, Mosquera, S Bueno, Toti, H Bueno, Andre, J Gomes, Bellegarde, Mane, Armstrong. Wolves substitutes were Arokodare, A Gomes (n/a) and R Gomes (n/a). Aston Villa’s ratings were Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Onana, Luiz, Sancho, Buendia, Rogers and Watkins, with subs Bailey, Barkley, Maatsen, Abraham and Alysson (n/a). Joao Gomes was named Player of the Match.
Fan reactions and concerns from Villa supporters
After the game, fan reaction ranged from elation to alarm. Ivan called it a fantastic, well-deserved result and welcomed avoiding being branded the worst Premier League team ever. George praised Wolves’ intensity and Jose Sa’s form. Dan highlighted a solid display and Rob Edwards’ passion. Chris suggested belief has finally returned and urged that confidence be carried into the Championship.
Villa fans voiced sharp criticism: Alan described Villa as too poor and questioned Ollie Watkins’s form, said Emi Buendia looked short of confidence and suggested Morgan Rogers was overcompensating for a loss of creativity; Ian warned that failure to beat the bottom club signified a collapsing season; Prit said Emery had picked the wrong team and noted too many players have been missing in action; Tony said the club’s early-season excitement had evaporated and Champions League hopes now looked slim.
League implications: Derby low-point, top-four pressure and fixture timing
The win removed the lingering fear Wolves might match Derby’s lowest-ever Premier League points total. For Aston Villa — third before the match — the defeat could see them fall below Manchester United into fourth by Sunday, and their form is described as having dipped ahead of a big clash with Chelsea on Wednesday. What makes this notable is how a single result both relieved relegation shame for Wolves and intensified immediate top-four uncertainty for Villa.
T20 World Cup, Premier League snippets and wider headlines that day
Other headlines the same day included Premier League scorelines with Liverpool 3-0 up, Everton in front at Newcastle and Brentford beating Burnley. The T20 World Cup situation noted Pakistan needed to restrict Sri Lanka to less than 147 to reach the semi-finals. Bournemouth were unbeaten in eight after Evanilson earned a point against Sunderland. Separately noted items included Lord Sugar’s hopefuls jetting off to Hong Kong, Annie and Nick previewing the Brit Awards, the making of Charli XCX’s fourth album during the 2020 lockdown, an occult-tinged crime in a Welsh village, a personal piece on telling a parent about stopping football, and ‘Borthwick relaxed but defiant amid England Six Nations slide’. The match coverage also carried repeated prompts to use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player.
Wolves remain doomed in league status but left Molineux celebrating a result that unified the crowd and momentarily altered local fortunes; for Aston Villa, the defeat has prompted urgent questions about selection, form and the run-in ahead.
