Games against Wolverhampton Wanderers do not have the white heat intensity of our cross-city rivals, but there won’t be any love lost. Add to that the fact that opposition are languishing in the relegation zone. Villa should be far too good for Wolves, but as we saw last week against Everton, which doesn’t always translate into results. Fortunately for Villa, they are made of stern stuff and found a way back into the game. After the midweek Champions League euphoria, Emery will be looking for a straightforward, professional win against a team who can’t keep a clean sheet.
Team selection will probably be uneventful for Villa. When many thought that a European game might signal some personnel changes, Emery made a statement of intent by not making changes. With eight days between this game and the next Premier League game against Ipswich, who would bet on any changes for the visit of Wolves. Only the right back position feels up for grabs. Emery may feel that keeping Ezri Konsa at right back, after taking the role for the second half in Switzerland, is a better option than playing Lamare Bogarde. The young Dutchman was targeted in Switzerland, and last week against Everton, and Wolves would look to adopt a similar tactic.
Ollie Watkins appears to have shaken off a niggle from the Champions League game and should expect to start. Jhon Durán’s penchant for smash-and-grab goals off the bench may be employed again against a tiring Wolves defence. Their capitulation in the last quarter of the game against Newcastle will have been noted by Emery and his team. Having conceded 11 goals in four Premier League games, the Wolves defence is leaky and Villa’s passing, movement, and general menace should create multitudinous chances at Villa Park.
Perhaps Villa’s biggest concern is the number of games played. This is Villa’s third game in a week. The euphoria of Champions League football could be a distraction. Emery should make changes sooner than he did against Young Boys. There was the slightest hint of fatigue in the second half and the Swiss looked like they were about to get some momentum back before Amadou Onana’s strike killed the game as a contest.
With the Wolves defence under pressure and seemingly unable to keep a clean sheet, expect to see more of Austin McPhee’s handiwork on display. Wolves have struggled against set pieces and that plays directly into Villa’s hands. Villa will also enjoy the ball out wide and attacking down the flanks. Leon Bailey making the subs bench on Tuesday suggests that this contest is an ideal comeback opportunity at some point in the game. Morgan Rogers has been threatening goal all season and the ex-West Bromwich Albion academy player would love to score against Wolves.
One of the players to watch from Wolves is their captain, Mario Lemina. The right midfielder scored against Newcastle and has been their best player as late in the league. Jørgen Strand Larsen, the on-loan striker from Celta Viga, has one goal from three starts so far and will be looking to use his height. At six feet four inches, Wolves will be tempted to employ his similar to how Everton used Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Pau Torres struggled at times which further suggests that playing Diego Carlos in the centre of defence, and pushing Konsa out right, would be a better option.
Prediction: 3-1 home win