VILLANS OF THE PIECE
Injured keepers and limp display result in derby defeat
THIS was a day to make even the most optimistic Aston Villa fan shiver with fear. Two injured goalkeepers, their talisman Jack Grealish missing, a centre forward — Wesley — who looks miles short of Premier League standard and no answer to a Wolves side inspired by Adama Traore, who helped settle a bruising West Midlands derby in his team’s favour.
On an afternoon when Villa were forced to play their third-choice goalkeeper for all but six minutes of the game, goals from Ruben Neves and Raul Jimenez — who had ice treatment for a bang on his knee late in the game — sent them to a third straight league defeat. Trezeguet scored an injury-time consolation for the visitors but they deserved no more.
Reminded that he had been motionless on the touchline for most of the opening 45 minutes, Villa boss Dean Smith responded: ‘A bit like some of my players. You probably can’t print what I told them at half-time.
‘It looked like the game was more important to them than us, we didn’t have enough intensity in our play. You have to compete — it doesn’t matter what the game is. The desire and competitive edge in the first 45 minutes wasn’t there.’
‘Adama is unique,’ said Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo of his winger, who has been called up by Spain. ‘He gives you these moments only he can produce. We have had 24 games this season and competed in every one. It makes me really proud.’
Wolves leaped from 16th to eighth with this victory but Villa, having lost seven of their opening 12 games since their return to the top flight, are starting to look over their shoulders.
They had little luck before or during the game. Grealish did not recover from his calf problem in time to play, centre back Bjorn Engels had a hip problem and goalkeeper Tom Heaton a calf injury. Heaton has withdrawn from the England squad and his Villa deputy, Jed Steer, lasted just six minutes before damaging an achilles.
Steer collapsed while trying to regain his balance after misjudging Matt Doherty’s cross, which hit the bar. Steer’s departure meant Orjan Nyland played his first game for Villa since December 2018. No wonder he looked uncertain, sticking to his line as though his boots had been nailed to it.
The visitors also lost left back Matt Targett just before half-time. He initially played on after lengthy treatment for a hefty blow to the back of the head, but was replaced by Neil Taylor after suffering blurred vision.
By that time, Villa were one down. Tyrone Mings had cleaned out Traore with a lunge that brought only a yellow card, and from the free-kick Joao Moutinho found Neves in far too much space just outside the box. The Portugal midfielder sent the ball fizzing past Nyland from 25 yards and Wolves had the lead they deserved.
Perhaps amazed that they were still in it, Villa finally started to look dangerous late in the game. But then Traore charged forward on the break, beating Douglas Luiz before teeing the ball up for Jimenez, who did the rest from close range. Two up with six minutes left.
Wolves had a late scare when Trezeguet fired home his second in as many games after some uncertain defending, but they held on for a deserved three points. Smith’s next stop is a coaching course in Scotland, where he can reflect further on the lesson his team were taught here.
WOLVES (3-4-3): Rui Patricio 6; Dendoncker 7 7, Coady 7 7.5, 5 Saiss 6; Doherty 75 7.5, Neves 7 (Bennett 85min) Moutinho 7.5, Jonny 7; Traore 8.5, JIMENEZ 8 (Cutrone 90), Jota 7.5 (Pedro Neto 83). Subs not used: Ruddy, Perry, Vinagre, Kilman. Scorers: Neves 41, Jimenez 84. Booked: Saiss, Jota, Moutinho, Jonny. Manager: Nuno Espirito Santo 8. ASTON VILLA (4-3-3): Steer 6 (Nyland 8, 5.5); Guilbert 5.5, Konsa 6, Mings 5, Targett 4.5 (Taylor 46, 5); McGinn 6, Nakamba 6 (Lansbury 69, 6), Douglas Luiz 5; El Ghazi 6.5, Wesley 4, Trezeguet 5.5. Subs not used: Elmohamady, Chester, Hourihane, Kodjia. Scorer: Trezeguet 90+2. Booked: Guilbert, Nakamba, Mings. Manager: Dean Smith 5. Referee: Anthony Taylor 7. Attendance: 31,607.