Wolves won a 2-0 crucial victory over Aston Villa in Molinine, a result that removes them out of the relegation area and added momentum to their survival offer.
Matheus Cunha was the hero, offering a superb late goal to seal the victory in a tense derby of the West Midlands.
The match started with wolves showing greater emergency and intention. Their counter-attackers have repeatedly disrupted a blasé villa side, and the hosts rightly put 1-0 at halftime.
Jean-Rotor Bellegarde broke the dead end with a finish composed after a quick break, capitalizing on the defensive disarray of Villa.
The director of Villa Unai Emery responded with a daring movement at the break, making four substitutions to try to inject life on his side. Despite the fresh legs and tactical adjustments, Villa had a hard time penetrating the stubborn defense of the Wolves.
The best chances of visitors occurred in the last stages, Donyell Malen forcing the net stops of the Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa.
Three points. pic.twitter.com/njupjitfuq
– Wolves (@wolves) February 1, 2025
While the villa desperately pressed an equalizer, the wolves remained resistant, absorbing the pressure and appearing dangerous on the counter.
The determining moment has arrived deeply in the stoppage. The failed authorization of Ezri Konsa offered an opportunity to Cunha.
The Brazilian embarked on a determined and stop-starting race which seemed to have reached a dead end.
However, he created just enough space to release a thunderous strike, sending the ball in front of Emiliano Martinez and in the lower corner to the left.
Cunha received a yellow card shortly after, a small imperfection on an otherwise stellar performance. The Wolves have sailed in the last moments with Tactical We, using substitutions to disturb the Villa rate and effectively manage the clock.
This victory marks the third consecutive victory of consecutive Wolves against Villa and gives a significant boost in their battle against relegation.
For Villa, defeat drops their top four aspirations.
