Wolves, who are bottom of the Premier League, dominated third-placed Aston Villa with a 2-0 win at Molineux thanks to goals from Joao Gomez and Rodrigo Gomez.
In a wet West Midlands derby at Wolverhampton, the home side showed their desire to fight throughout as Villa struggled to impose themselves. A fine finish from Joao Gomez helped seal the win, with his namesake Rodrygo clinching the win on the break late in stoppage time.
Victory for Rob Edwards’ side means that Derby’s lowest points tally in their history in the Premier League has been erased, lingering fears of that disgrace have been erased, and the home supporters have received some much-needed joy and relief at the expense of their neighbours.
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Joao Gomez scores sensational opening goal for Wolves against Aston Villa
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Rodrigo Gomez scores the win against Villa with a 97th minute counter!
Villa were scrutinizing Wolves in the first half without causing them too much trouble. Ollie Watkins, who was out of form, had a shot blocked. Pau Torres headed wide. Douglas Ruiz volleys past Jose Sa. Wolves’ best opener came when the returning Toti Gomez missed a shot.
Unai Emery tried to spark things up with a double change on the hour, but it was Wolves, who had lost their form after a miserable season, who found the breakthrough with a clever attack. Adam Armstrong’s cute dismissal was perfect for Joao Gomez to come home.
Chants of “1-0 to the Championship” echoed around Molineux as Villa pressed on, eventually bringing on Tammy Abraham, but Wolves defended valiantly and substitute Rodrigo Gomez beat Emi Martínez towards the end of the second half to score the next goal with the final kick.
Wolves remain doomed, but they could be able to deal a big blow to their neighbors, who are down on form ahead of Wednesday’s big clash with Chelsea. By then, Manchester United may have surpassed them and their grip on a top-four finish has loosened.
Edwards: Win will live with me forever.
Wolves manager Rob Edwards said in a press conference.
“It was a special moment in a really difficult season. It’s nice to be able to express our emotions and create that bond that we all crave. That’s why I was a part of a night like that. It’s a really special moment. It’s a moment that will stay with me forever.”
As for his celebration, he said: “Yeah, there were a lot of emotions. I lost myself for a while. That’s what football does to you. It was like I forgot where I was. My girls were probably looking at me over there and wondering what I was doing there. Calm down.”
“Yeah, and I think I pulled my calf and put my foot into the boards. I know it’s been a really difficult season, but if you can’t enjoy the moment in a really important game against a great team, you shouldn’t be out there.”
Asked about Emery leaving without shaking his hand after the second goal, Edwards said: “Look, I get it. The two games we won in the league this year, they both somehow disappeared.”
He added: “I think everyone expects us to stand up and win, which is understandable given how the season has gone. So, yeah, they weren’t that happy. But I have a lot of respect for Unai. I think he’s great.”
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Unai Emery walked down the tunnel at Molineux as soon as Wolves scored their second goal.
Emery: I dreamed of that title too.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery said this at a press conference.
“The prediction at the beginning of the season was that we were going through this for the last three months. Maybe now it’s a little bit worse than it was two months ago.”
“We can’t be frustrated. Some may feel that we lost the chance to win the Premier League title. “Two months ago we were playing against Arsenal and Manchester City and you were asking me about that.
“Someone, even myself, might say, ‘Maybe we can do it.’ Some of our supporters may have dreamed of it. Some may feel frustrated because there is no chance of us playing in the Premier League right now, and I have dreams myself.
“In September we were worried and our goal was to stay in the Premier League. In December we were very happy and excited to have secured a top-five spot and qualified for the Champions League.”
“A month ago, I was dreaming that maybe we would win the Premier League. Now we are in an average position, in the top five. Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, they are trying to reach us. Reaching the Champions League is the priority for them.”
Analysis: Villa collapses?
Lee Hendry said on Sky Sports:
“If you compare both teams tonight, the Wolves were hungry.
“Villa’s record looks terrible and for me, Villa’s season is in jeopardy at the moment.
“Yes, they are in the next stage of the Europa League. I am starting to panic about that now. There are some big games ahead for Villa. At the moment I can see Villa falling apart.”
Jiří Christiansen said on Sky Sports:
“From Villa’s point of view, it was a really poor game today. They conceded a goal in the 60th minute and there was no reaction. They still had time to get back into the game.
“At that point they didn’t show any desire. Emery made changes but they didn’t have any effect on the game.”
“Overall, Villa looked isolated. You could see the frustration in the players and maybe the pressure was getting to them.”
