Wolves vs Aston Villa Report

Scorers: Bellegarde 12’, Cunha 90+7’

Wolverhampton Wanderers ended their four-match Premier League losing streak with a vital 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Molineux. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s early strike set the tone for a dominant first-half display, before Matheus Cunha’s stoppage-time goal sealed the win.

The result sees Wolves climb out of the relegation zone, while Villa’s struggles after European fixtures continue, leaving them with just one win from their last six visits to Molineux.

Bellegarde Strikes Early to Put Wolves in Front

Aston Villa arrived at Molineux fresh from securing their place in the UEFA Champions League last 16, with their travelling fans in celebratory spirits.

However, their record following midweek European fixtures had been mixed, with just one victory from their last seven such matches (D3, L3).

That vulnerability was exposed just 12 minutes into the game when Wolves took the lead. A slick passing move sliced through the Villa defence, allowing Bellegarde to dart into the box and fire a low drive past Emiliano Martínez at the near post.

It was the French midfielder’s first goal at Molineux and provided Wolves with a much-needed confidence boost.

Wolves Dominate First Half as Villa Struggle

With the early goal giving them momentum, Wolves continued to pile pressure on the visitors. Bellegarde remained at the heart of their attacking play, whipping in two dangerous crosses in quick succession, while Matheus Cunha found himself one-on-one with Martínez, only to see his delayed shot saved.

Gonçalo Guedes also had opportunities to extend Wolves’ lead but was guilty of wastefulness in front of goal. The Portuguese forward struck wide when through on goal before firing another effort straight at the Villa goalkeeper, much to the frustration of the home fans.

Meanwhile, Villa struggled to impose themselves in the opening 45 minutes, failing to create clear-cut chances as Wolves remained on the front foot.

Emery’s Half-Time Changes and VAR Controversy

Recognising his side’s struggles, Unai Emery made four substitutions at half-time in a bid to spark a turnaround. Ten minutes into the second half, it seemed as though his changes had worked when Donyell Malen turned in a well-worked set-piece routine to equalise.

Leon Bailey’s clever free-kick played John McGinn into the box, and the Villa captain’s low cross found Malen for what appeared to be a simple tap-in. However, VAR intervened, ruling the goal out for a marginal offside in the build-up—much to the frustration of the Villa players and fans.

Despite Villa’s improved second-half display, Wolves held firm defensively. Emmanuel Agbadou blocked a low Bailey shot after an Ian Maatsen cut-back, while José Sá was called into action to deny Malen, ensuring the hosts retained their slender advantage.

Cunha Seals the Victory in Stoppage Time

As Villa pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Wolves struck on the counter-attack to seal all three points in stoppage time. Breaking forward with pace, Cunha carried the ball towards goal before drilling a low shot past Martínez, sending the home fans into celebration.

The goal capped off a determined performance from Wolves, who showed resilience to withstand Villa’s second-half resurgence and secure a much-needed victory.

What the Result Means for Both Sides

Wolves’ win lifts them out of the relegation zone, moving them two points clear of 18th-placed Leicester City. While they remain in a precarious position, the result will provide a confidence boost as they look to build momentum in their fight for survival.

For Aston Villa, their struggles following European fixtures continue. Having now won just one of their last eight away league matches (D1, L6), Unai Emery’s side will need to find a way to balance domestic and European commitments more effectively.

The defeat also marked the first time Villa have lost to a side starting in the bottom three under Emery (W13, D5).

Final Thoughts

Wolves produced a spirited display to earn a crucial victory, with Bellegarde’s early goal setting the foundation for a strong performance. Despite a nervy second half, the home side held firm before Cunha’s late strike put the game to bed.

For Villa, the disappointment of another post-European slip-up will be a concern for Emery. With the battle for European places intensifying, the Villans must find consistency to keep pace with their rivals.

As the season progresses, Wolves will hope this win marks the start of a turnaround, while Villa must regroup quickly to avoid losing further ground in their pursuit of a top-six finish.

For more info on this game’s outcome, you may also visit:
Wolves v Aston Villa, 2024/25 | Premier League