Ezri does it KONSA ROUNDS OFF BIG Once more WEEK WITH LUCKY STRIKE
EZRI KONSA rounded off a memorable week with a fluke goal to maintain Aston Villa’s top-four spot.
The defender’s 65th-minute cross hit the post and went in to seal victory as Villa won at home for only the second time in five league games.
Konsa had made his first two England appearances during the previous seven days and his lucky effort summed up his recent fortunes.
It added to Moussa Diaby’s bullet first-half finish as Villa won a West Midlands derby where they were not at their best with top scorer Ollie Watkins going off at the break. Wolves remained without a succession of key players with Craig Dawson, Pedro Neto and Hee-chan Hwang amongst those missing.
As a result manager Gary O’neil gave a full debut to 18-year-old striker Leon Chiwome.
Despite their selection woes it was Wolves who started the brighter with Tommy Doyle firing wide from the edge of the area.
At the other end Douglas Luiz put the ball in the net after Ollie
Watkins had been denied by Jose Sa – but the effort was chalked off for offside.
Wolves should have been ahead on the quarter hour.
Emi Martinez was able to foil Rayan Ait-nouri from pointblank range following Santiago Bueno’s cross.
It changed the course of the game as Villa turned the screw.
In a week where his rival Ivan Toney stepped ahead of him in the race for Euro 2024, Watkins then missed a sitter.
Played in by Youri Tielemans, Watkins could only find the side netting left footed.
Moments later, Pau Torres’ glancing header from Leon
Bailey’s cross went safely into the hands of Sa.
But Villa went on to take a 36th-minute lead as Diaby thumped home from 18 yards.
It was the Frenchman’s first Premier League goal of 2024.
Villa could have gone further ahead before the break as Konsa’s run and shot went just wide.
Watkins was surprisingly subbed at the break with Jhon Duran coming on in his place.
But Villa started the second half well as Diego Carlos headed wide from Bailey’s cross before Bailey also missed the target.
Wanderers though went close through Pablo Sarabia’s free-kick.
Villa, so good at home earlier
in the season, lacked their usual fluency.
But their fans – and Emery – could breathe a huge sigh of relief as they ended the game as a contest thanks to Konsa’s moment of good fortune following Diaby’s pass.
Duran was waiting to tap home but the ball had just about crossed the line.
Villa could have scored a third a minute later as sub Nicolo Zaniolo’s shot was kept out by Sa.
Wolves never looked like coming back although sub Matt Doherty did head just over late on from Bueno’s cross.