PREMIER LEAGUE
ASTON VILLA 0
WOLVES 1
Dendoncker (62)
John Mcginn is normally a player you can rely on to bring energy to a team.
At the moment, he looks like he’s running on empty and that isn’t helping Aston Villa’s fight against relegation.
The Scotland star came off the bench for the last half-hour of his side’s defeat by Wolves.
A goal for the men from Molineux came just two minutes after the 25-year-old came off the bench.
It was a move where Mcginn’s lack of vigour was cruelly exposed.
A schedule that has forced Villa to play four matches in 11 days has done him no favours, especially after a sixmonth lay-off with a broken ankle.
Spanish wingback Jonny had him floundering with a delicious turn that left Mcginn dazed and confused.
Wolves charged forward and Traore attracted the attention of four Villa players. Jimenez clipped the ball into the area where he found Jonny – the man who started the move in his own half.
Mcginn was fully 20 yards behind him as he set up Leander Dendoncker. The Belgian smacked a low shot into the corner from the edge of the box.
The goal was enough to kill off the challenge of a Villa side that last recorded a victory on January 21.
They were lucky to start the second half on level terms after a bit of comedy goalkeeping from Orjan Nyland.
The Norwegian tried to throw the ball to his left, but it was like he was hurling a bar of soap as it squirted out of his grasp and landed at the feet of Jota. He let out a huge sigh of relief when the Portuguese attacker blazed over the bar.
Villa remain secondbottom with six games remaining. They’re one point behind fourth bottom West Ham, but have played a game extra.
Their next two fixtures, against Liverpool away and Manchester United at home, could hardly be tougher.
The supporters will hope a seven-day rest before the next game will re-energise John Mcginn.
Wolves are fifth and ending the season there would be their best finish since 1973.