Aston Villa 1-1 Wolves

Aston Villa fought back to claim a point against Wolverhampton Wanderers as the midlands neighbours shared a 1-1 draw at Villa Park.

Substitute Danny Ings showed brilliant composure to control and convert Tyrone Mings’ throughball past Jose Sa, registering Villa’s deserved 78^th-minute leveller.

The hosts had moments earlier seen Ludwig Augustinson’s goalbound volley headed off the line while penalty appeals were waved away following a claim of handball against Hugo Bueno.

Ings’ seventh Premier League goal of the season cancelled out Daniel Podence’s early opener as Wanderers struck the first blow.

Both sides looked to claim local bragging rights during the frenetic final stages, Emi Martínez standing firm to parry away Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fierce late strike while Leon Bailey fired wide having rounded Sa in injury time, leaving the Jamaica international inconsolable at the full-time whistle.

But the spoils were shared and the Villans will now turn their attention to FA Cup action on Sunday as they host Stevenage in their third-round tie.

Martínez, having celebrated World Cup success with Argentina, returned to Villa’s starting XI after being named among the substitutes for the 2-0 victory at Tottenham Hotspur on New Year’s Day.

However, midfielder John McGinn missed out due to a hamstring injury, as head coach Unai Emery made two changes from the triumph in north London.

World Cup-winning goalkeeper Martínez received a standing ovation from the home faithful ahead of kick-off as he paraded his World Cup winners’ medal and Golden Glove Award.

And it was Villa who threatened first as Bailey fired off target from inside the penalty area, although the hosts were grateful to Ezri Konsa for clearing off the goal-line moments later.

It was Wanderers who struck first in the 12^th minute as Podence eluded the challenge of Douglas Luiz in the area and fired through a sea of bodies beyond Martínez.

The Argentinian was out quickly to block from Matheus Nunes midway through the first period, while Jose Sa produced smart reactions to tip away Lucas Digne’s free-kick as Wolves led at the break.

Boss Emery turned to Philippe Coutinho at the interval and Villa emerged with greater purpose and attacking intent early in the second half.

Yet the hosts were still struggling to break down a stubborn Wolves rearguard who were holding firm.

Villa made a triple substitution shortly after the hour mark, introducing Ings, Augustinsson and Leander Dendoncker in a bid to create an opening.

But Wolves went closest to doubling their advantage when sub Adama Traore fired narrowly over the crossbar in the 69^th minute.

The hosts came within inches of an equaliser as Augustinson saw his goalbound volley headed off the line by Maximilian Kilman, moments after penalty appeals were waved away for a handball against Hugo Bueno.

However, Villa were soon level as Ings brilliantly controlled a perfect throughball from Mings and lifted the ball over Sa.

Both sides searched for a winner as the final 10 minutes became a stretched and open affair, Martínez denying Ait-Nouri while Bailey fired off target having rounded Sa after being sent clear as it finished all square.