A sprightly start at Villa Park saw both sides trade early blows, with Leon Bailey coming close for the hosts inside the opening five minutes. It was Wolves who had the better chance, but some heroic Ezri Konsa defending on the line denied Nathan Collins a maiden competitive goal in the famous gold of Wolves. That was only a temporary reprieve for Villa, who fell behind just moments later when Daniel Podence bypassed a limp Douglas Luiz challenge and curled home a sumptuous effort beyond the reach of returning FIFA World Cup winner Emiliano Martínez.
Emiliano Martínez forced José Sá into action from a free-kick midway through the first half, but that was far from the standards Villa have set in recent weeks, as an expectant home faithful sounded out their discontent throughout the half and even more audibly as Jarred Gillett rang out the HT whistle. A cluster of substitutes did stem the flow of the second half somewhat, but despite needing to force the issue to get back into the game, Villa still looked more likely to concede a second than find an equaliser.
One of Wolves’ substitutes Adama Traoré really ought to have placed the game beyond any reasonable doubt with 20 minutes remaining, but his effort was wild and flew harmlessly over the crossbar. Villa sub Ludwig Augustinsson was keen to make his own impact on the game too, and he almost did so in fine fashion, thundering a volley goalwards that had Sá beaten all-ends-up only for Max Kilman to head off the line to preserve his side’s slender advantage.
That was only a temporary reprieve for Wolves though, whose defence was eventually breached when Danny Ings raced through on goal and lofted an effort over the on-rushing Sá to set up a grandstand finish in this Midlands derby. Both sides had chances to snatch a winner, but there was nothing to separate Villa and Wolves in what was a hotly-contested clash. A point will however leave a bitter taste in the mouth of Wolves, who missed the chance to clamber out of the bottom three with victory.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Hugo Bueno (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
