Wolves Vs Aston Villa — wolves vs aston villa: Joao Gomes and Rodrigo Gomes score in 2-0 win
wolves vs aston villa ended 2-0 at Molineux as Joao Gomes and Rodrigo Gomes struck in the second half to give bottom club Wolves a famous derby victory over third-placed Aston Villa. The win brought joy to the home supporters and spared Wolves the embarrassment of matching Derby’s all-time Premier League low points haul.
Wet West Midlands derby summary
In a wet West Midlands derby in Wolverhampton, Wolves showed more appetite for the fight throughout as Villa struggled to impose themselves. The breakthrough came after a slick attacking move: Adam Armstrong's lay-off created the opening for Joao Gomes to fire home. Chants of "1-0 to the Championship" rang out around Molineux as the home fans reacted, and substitute Rodrigo Gomes sealed the win on the break with just about the last kick, beating Emi Martinez deep into stoppage-time.
Goals and key moments
Villa had probed in the first half without causing Wolves too many problems. The out-of-form Ollie Watkins had a shot blocked. Pau Torres headed wide. Douglas Luiz volleyed at Jose Sa. Wolves' best opening came when the returning Toti Gomes miscued his shot. Unai Emery’s Villa could fall below Manchester United into fourth on Sunday; Manchester United could be ahead of them by then, the grip on a top-four finish loosened. Villa’s form has dipped ahead of a big clash with Chelsea on Wednesday.
Wolves Vs Aston Villa reaction
Wolves boss Rob Edwards spoke at length after the match and his post-match comments matched the scenes of emotion when celebrating at full-time. He said: "It was a special moment in a really difficult season. It's nice to be able to show some emotion and build that connection that we're desperate to do. That's why I came in on nights like that. Really special moments. That's a moment that will live with me forever. "
On his celebrations he added: "Yeah, there was a lot of emotion. I lost myself for a while. Football can do that to you. I sort of forgot where I was. My daughters were probably up there looking at me thinking, what are you doing down there? Calm down. Yeah, and then I pulled my calf and put my foot through a board in as well I think. I know it's been a really difficult season, but if you can't enjoy those moments in a really big game against a brilliant team, then you should not be in the game. "
Edwards on performance and players
Edwards described the win as his second in the Premier League since taking charge and praised the fans: "I understand that we have to perform, and a win in a derby game, you’re going to get a good atmosphere. I know it’s two ways and the fans were amazing tonight, backed the players, and when Villa had their periods, they were brilliant for us, making a lot of noise. The end was incredible. It was a special moment in a difficult season. It’s nice to be able to show some emotion and build that connection that we’re desperate to do. That’s why I came here, nights like that, really special moments. That’s a moment that will live with me forever. "
He was equally clear on the tactical side: "We needed to carry out the plan. Against a team like Villa, who are tactically brilliant and have such good individuals, it’s important you carry out the plan to the best of your ability and when you get it wrong, run really hard and try to defend your goal. When we didn’t get it right, we worked incredibly hard to defend, and when we did, we managed to take advantage of a couple of the moments that we had. I thought we were excellent. We didn’t get everything right in the first half and had to adjust a bit, so we could be better with our pressing. "
On Joao Gomes specifically he said: "He was brilliant. Joao was on the bench against Arsenal because he wasn’t fit and had his trainers on on the bench in the end. We felt, because the performance was good, that we went that way against Palace. But he came back into the team and gets his goal. I put a bit of pressure on him before the game at pre-match, and I said I wanted him to be Man of the Match today and he stepped up. I thought he was excellent. "
Edwards also reflected on his connection with the area: "My kids were brought up here and my first was born during the first pre-season when Nuno arrived, so it’s all I’ve known really. "
Lineups, ratings and honours
Wolves: Sa, Tchatchoua, Mosquera, S Bueno, Toti, H Bueno, Andre, J Gomes, Bellegarde, Mane, Armstrong. Subs: Arokodare, A Gomes (n/a), R Gomes (n/a). Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Onana, Luiz, Sancho, Buendia, Rogers, Watkins. Subs: Bailey, Barkley, Maatsen, Abraham, Alysson (n/a). Player of the Match: Joao Gomes.
Consequences and brief notes
The victory for Rob Edwards' side means they overhaul Derby's all-time Premier League low points haul, ending any lingering fears of that particular ignominy and bringing some long-awaited joy and relief for the home supporters - at the expense of their neighbours. Wolves remain doomed but could enjoy inflicting a major blow on their neighbours whose form has dipped ahead of a big clash with Chelsea on Wednesday. The home fans celebrated late on as substitute Rodrigo Gomes beat Emi Martinez on the break to make it 2-0 with virtually the last kick of the game.
Unai Emery reaction
Unai Emery reacts to Wolves reverse: unclear in the provided context.
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Wolves vs Aston Villa will be remembered at Molineux for Joao Gomes' fine finish and Rodrigo Gomes' stoppage-time clincher that sealed a 2-0 victory for the bottom club.
