(DDM) – Wolverhampton Wanderers secured a rare Premier League victory by defeating Aston Villa 2-0 at Molineux on Friday, dealing a significant blow to Villa’s bid for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
The win was only Wolves’ second league victory of the season and their first since early January, when they defeated West Ham United.
Midfielder Joao Gomes emerged as the standout performer, scoring his first league goal of the campaign in the second half.
Later in the match, Rodrigo Gomes sealed the victory, capitalizing on Villa’s defensive lapses to secure the 2-0 result.
Despite the morale-boosting triumph in the West Midlands derby, Wolves remain deep in relegation trouble, sitting 14 points from safety with nine matches left, making survival increasingly difficult.
The win also allowed Wolves to avoid setting an unwanted Premier League record for the lowest points total in a season, with their current 13 points surpassing Derby County’s 11-point record from 2007–08.
Wolves manager Rob Edwards praised his team’s performance, saying matches like the victory against Villa were the reason he joined the club and provided opportunities to connect with supporters.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, suffered a setback in their top-four ambitions, having won only two of their last eight league matches.
The defeat leaves Villa six points above fifth-placed Chelsea and sixth-placed Liverpool, with a top-five finish likely required for Champions League qualification.
Villa manager Unai Emery said the team lost control in the second half, as Wolves won more duels and created greater attacking threats inside Villa’s penalty area.
Villa struggled to convert scoring opportunities, with striker Ollie Watkins missing a key chance from a Morgan Rogers assist, while defender Pau Torres also failed to capitalize on a headed opportunity.
The Wolves victory was aided by Villa’s defensive lapses, allowing Joao Gomes’ initial shot to be blocked, before Rodrigo Gomes reacted quickly to score.
The result provides Wolves with a rare home victory and a boost in morale amid their fight against relegation.
Villa must now refocus ahead of critical league fixtures against Chelsea and Manchester United, where top-four ambitions will be tested.
The defeat highlights the competitive nature of the Premier League, where even mid-table and struggling teams like Wolves can impact the Champions League race.
For Wolves, the win is a memorable moment in an otherwise difficult season, reinforcing the importance of fighting for every point.
For Aston Villa, the match serves as a reminder that consistency will be crucial if they hope to secure a place in Europe’s top competition next season.
