Wolves 1-0 Aston Villa

Aston Villa were narrowly beaten by Wolves at Molineux in the Premier League on Saturday.

Toti headed the hosts in front when he diverted Ruben Neves’ corner in off the underside of the crossbar after nine minutes.

José Sá made a fine save from Emi Buendía’s snapshot and Ollie Watkins planted a header straight at the ‘keeper as the away side responded.

Villa’s efforts to equalise continued into the second half, with Tyrone Mings firing their best opening over from close range.

However, the visitors were unable to find a way through as they left the Black Country empty-handed.  

Unai Emery brought Bertrand Traoré into the team in place of Leander Dendoncker for derby day, with the winger making his first start for the club since January 2022.

The forward-thinking switch didn’t pay immediate dividends, however, with the home side making a fast start and hitting the front after nine minutes.

Toti rose highest at the back post to meet a corner, directing a header past Emi Martínez and in off the underside of the crossbar.

An instant response was forthcoming from Buendía’s right boot, but his snapshot was superbly tipped around the post by Sá.

Villa’s control on the game grew as the half wore on and the visitors threatened to draw level when top scorer Ollie Watkins found himself with a free header after 34 minutes.

Mings broke the lines with a marauding run before feeding Jacob Ramsey, who chipped a ball into the middle for Watkins. The striker’s header was firm but landed straight in Sá’s arms.

Just as they had done in the first half, Wolves started the second half the quicker of the two sides and Villa were indebted to Martínez for denying Diego Costa one-on-one minutes after the restart.

Leon Bailey was called upon by Emery at half-time and the winger teed up Ashley Young following a short corner, with the full-back curling an effort narrowly wide.

Just past the hour mark, the visiting fans were given reason to cheer when Diego Carlos made his long-awaited return from injury, replacing Young as Ezri Konsa moved to right-back.

His centre-back partner Mings passed up a golden chance to equalise when he blazed over from close-range after getting on the end of Douglas Luiz’s free-kick.

Jhon Duran, Lucas Digne and Boubacar Kamara were sent on as Emery pressed for a leveller, but Wolves' stubborn resistance held up through three minutes of injury time.