Wolves Vs Aston Villa: Joao Gomes and Rodrigo Gomes secure 2-0 derby win
In a wet West Midlands derby at Molineux the bottom club recorded a 2-0 victory over third-placed Aston Villa, a match framed in the context of wolves vs aston villa by supporters and players alike. Joao Gomes opened the scoring and substitute Rodrigo Gomes sealed the result deep into stoppage-time as Wolves stunned their neighbours.
Match summary and key moments
The Premier League's bottom club Wolves beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Molineux. In a wet West Midlands derby in Wolverhampton the home side showed more appetite for the fight throughout as Villa struggled to impose themselves. 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, and Wolves' best opening came when the returning Toti Gomes miscued his shot.
Unai Emery tried to ignite things with a double change on the hour but it was Wolves who found the breakthrough following a slick attacking move. Adam Armstrong's cute lay-off was perfect for Joao Gomes to fire home. Chants of '1-0 to the Championship' rang out around Molineux and though Villa pushed, finally introducing Tammy Abraham, Wolves defended bravely and scored the next goal with just about the last kick as substitute Rodrigo Gomes beat Emi Martinez on the break. Joao Gomes' fine finish set up the win, and his namesake Rodrigo sealed it on the break deep into stoppage-time.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Lineups and ratings
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.
Edwards: 'That's why I came here'
Wolves boss Rob Edwards spoke in the post-match press conference and described the moment as special in a difficult season. 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 Joao Gomes
Edwards described the win as his second in the Premier League since taking charge and said nights like this were the reason he returned to the club. He emphasised the need to carry out the plan against a team "tactically brilliant" and praised the team's defending: "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. "
On Joao Gomes 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 added: "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. "
Wider implications and reactions
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. 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.
On the Aston Villa side, a separate club message invited readers to join for news, ticket purchases and exclusive access to Aston Villa content and a host of other benefits. Details of Unai Emery's reaction to the Wolves reverse are unclear in the provided context.
Club messaging and merchandise
The club's own coverage noted the win came courtesy of Joao Gomes and Rodrigo Gomes strikes in the second half at Molineux and reiterated that it was Edwards' second Premier League win since taking charge. The club also offered multiple purchase options for fans: "Buy 2025-26 Wolves Home Shirt - Adult Now", "Buy 2025-26 Wolves Home Shirt - Junior Now", "Buy 2025-26 Wolves Home Shirt - Womens Now", "Buy 2025-26 Wolves Pro Home Shirt - Adult Now", "2025-26 Wolves Goalkeeper Home Shirt - Junior", "Buy 2025-26 Wolves Goalkeeper Home Shirt - Junior Now", "Buy 2025-26 Wolves Away Shirt - Adult Now", "Buy 2025-26 Wolves Away Shirt - Junior Now", "Buy 2025-26 Wolves Away Shirt - Womens Now".
Wolves will take heart from a night that delivered emotion, relief and two decisive goals; Villa will regroup ahead of upcoming fixtures with their top-four hopes under fresh pressure.
