Aston Villa Extend Winning Run with Late Comeback Victory Over Wolves
Aston Villa mounted an impressive late comeback to defeat Wolves 3-1 at Villa Park, marking their third consecutive league win. Despite trailing at halftime, Villa scored three second-half goals to secure all three points, climbing to third place in the Premier League.
First Half: Wolves in Control
Gary O’Neil’s Wolves dominated the first half and took the lead through Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian capitalized on a defensive error by Diego Carlos, intercepting a misplaced pass before firing a powerful shot past Emiliano Martinez at the near post. Wolves continued to control the game, with Rayan Ait-Nouri coming close to doubling their lead, narrowly missing the target with a volley.
Villa struggled to create chances, with Wolves’ defense, led by Craig Dawson, comfortably repelling any attacking threat. Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone was untested throughout the first half, and Villa’s European exploits earlier in the week seemed to weigh heavily on their performance.
Second Half: Villa’s Resurgence
Unai Emery’s halftime changes proved pivotal, as Villa began to turn the tide. Leon Bailey and Ian Maatsen were introduced, with Bailey in particular adding width and pace down the right wing. Villa’s first real chance came when Yerson Mosquera, who later left the field with a head injury, cleared an effort from Ollie Watkins off the line.
The pressure continued to mount, and Watkins soon found the back of the net. A slick pass from Morgan Rogers set up the striker, whose deflected shot beat Johnstone to level the score. Villa’s momentum grew, and in the 88th minute, Ezri Konsa headed home a precise cross from Youri Tielemans to give the home side the lead.
In stoppage time, Villa sealed the win when Jhon Duran slotted into an empty net after more excellent work from Rogers, securing a 3-1 victory.
Villa’s European Hangover
Villa’s sluggish start could be attributed to their recent midweek European fixture. The emotional victory over Young Boys in their return to European competition after four decades, coupled with the passing of former player Gary Shaw, may have contributed to the lethargic first-half performance.
However, Emery’s tactical adjustments and the introduction of key substitutes rejuvenated Villa in the second half, showcasing their resilience and depth. Villa now sit level on points with Liverpool and Arsenal, continuing their strong start to the season.
Wolves’ Struggles Continue
For Wolves, the defeat leaves them winless in the Premier League this season, extending their run of poor form to just one victory in their last 14 league matches. O’Neil’s side was well-organized in the first half but faded after the break, struggling to contain Villa’s attacking pressure.
With concerns over Mosquera’s injury and mounting frustration over their winless streak, Wolves will be eager to turn things around when they host Liverpool next weekend. Despite their solid first-half display, Wolves’ inability to sustain their intensity has left them at the bottom of the table.
Looking Ahead
Aston Villa will turn their attention to the EFL Cup clash against Wycombe Wanderers, while Wolves face a tough test at home against Liverpool as they continue to search for their first league win of the season.