Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Premier League's bottom club, produced a shock 2-0 victory over third-placed Aston Villa in a wet West Midlands derby at Molineux. Midfielders Joao Gomes and Rodrigo Gomes struck in the second half to punish Unai Emery's side, who failed to make their superiority on paper count. In a game short on clear chances, Wolves seized their moments to claim a rare win and deliver a painful blow to their neighbours' Champions League push.
Wolves' victory, only their second in the league this season, lifts them to 13 points and means they surpass Derby County's record low Premier League total of 11 set in 2007-08. They remain rooted to the foot of the table and are still destined for relegation, but the result ends any lingering fear of that particular ignominy and brings overdue joy for the home support. Villa stay third and miss the chance to move six points clear of Manchester United in the race for the top four, their grip on a Champions League place loosening after another frustrating afternoon.
Wolves Bring More Fight In The Molineux Downpour
In heavy rain, Rob Edwards' side approached the derby with the greater appetite for the contest, snapping into challenges and denying Villa the time and space to dictate as they might have expected against the league's bottom club. Wolves have endured a miserable campaign, but there was an edge and intensity to their work without the ball that belied their position in the table.