Considering that five of Wolves’ seven Premier League goals this season were scored before halftime, a strong start seemed crucial if Rob Edwards’ team hoped to cause a major upset here.
After withstanding an early threat when Lucas Digne’s free-kick hit the bar, the visitors arguably posed more danger during a first half that offered few clear chances.
Jørgen Strand Larsen thought he had opened the scoring around the 15-minute mark, but after finishing from Jackson Tchatchoua’s pass, his celebration was halted by the offside flag as Jhon Arias interfered with Emiliano Martínez.
Villa’s goalkeeper maintained the draw at halftime, making a save from Strand Larsen in stoppage time before pulling off an incredible stop to push Yerson Mosquera’s powerful header onto the bar.
A quiet atmosphere at Villa Park mirrored the home side’s lackluster play, and matters could have worsened just after the break if not for Pau Torres’ perfectly timed sliding challenge to block Strand Larsen’s tap-in chance.
It seemed it would take something exceptional for Villa to break through, which came when Boubacar Kamara fired into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Wolves felt hard done by as Joao Gomes was off injured when the goal was scored, but things got worse soon after as John McGinn and Donyell Malen both came close to doubling the home side’s lead.
Trailing appeared to drain Wolves’ confidence, resulting in their sixth away defeat in the Premier League this season, all without scoring.
Their relegation looks certain with a nine-point gap from safety, although they can find some comfort knowing none of the four teams above them won this weekend either. Meanwhile, Villa temporarily climb into the top three, thanks to their eighth consecutive home victory.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
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