Match Thread: Wolves v Aston Villa 2.4.2022 KO 3pm
Scenes!
By Ivybridge Wolf April 2 2022
We all want our side to play for the proverbial 90 minutes. We all would like our team to show up in both halves and do themselves justice. On 16th October 2021 Wolves proved that what is really required in football is to play to the 90th minute …. plus added time …. of course! What a match at Villa Park that was and will live long in the memory. Well, the last 10-15 minutes in will. Played merely average to poor for 75 minutes, 0-0 at half time, 2-0 down after 68 minutes, a really well worked first goal, crafted by Neves and Podence and finished by Saiss on 80, a wonderful, blissful scuffy, scruffy equaliser from Coady on 85 and a gorgeous, exhilarating 95th deflected winner from Neves. Ecstasy, cue scenes!
More of the same today? Lightening can strike twice and the omens are good, we faced Villa after an International break last time too.
Trouble is the Leeds match hit us hard in many ways. Jimenez issued a laughable (but no smiles from Wolves fans) second yellow card and he begins a two-match suspension today. Additionally, Neves has now been crocked and won’t appear until May at the earliest. The more positive news filtering out of Molineux is that we are to offer Ruben an extension to his current contract, it’s just a case of what will be accepted – he has been in terrific form this season and will be sorely missed over the next month or so. Don’t forget the defence as well, solid as a rock in the main this season but the Leeds capitulation, irrespective of being a man down, was keystone Cop-esque. Even Sa felt compelled to join the mad cap party. Hopefully the premier league break (congratulations to Conor for another England cap) has provided the side and the management team time to get that devastating home defeat well and truly out of the system. A one off, surely?
Wolves now have a chance to move on and versus a Villa side who have lost their last two. Personally, I have been a little ambivalent towards the talk this season (by some) of the top 4* or 6* or 7* (*delete as appropriate dependant on the score of our last match!), instead believing that we currently sit about right whilst thinking we have an opportunity in every forthcoming match. If Wolves look after themselves match by match, then the rest will take care of itself, and if that means a place in Europe by May 22nd, then so be it and it would be deserved!!
Who will Bruno pick then? Pedro Neto might return after his foot injury, perhaps too soon for Semedo? Will Boly keep his place? What about up front, a couple of matches to retry Silva from the off or more from Hwang. Trinc had an excellent first 45 v Leeds, arguably his best in an old gold shirt, and he may get the nod – though he desperately needs to show consistency. Anyway, I’ll let Bruno decide and we’ll see about 2pm, latterly it’s been tough enough to predict the starting line-up, even without injuries and suspensions!
A few stats for you all, since 2009 in all league competitions we have played Villa 14 times, won 5, drawn 5 and lost 4, broken down to matches at Molineux, its played 7 won 3 drawn 1 and lost 3. It’s a real even spread of results. I’ll be honest, if forced to part with a couple of quid, I’d back a draw …. Always hoping for better. Villa will be sore, however. Their fans will not let their team forget that sublime October afternoon in Birmingham, they’ll be after revenge!
The match kicks off at the traditional 3pm Saturday slot and the referee will be Darren England and Lee Mason in the VAR bunker. As a final interesting footnote to the Leeds debacle, Kevin Friend won't be refereeing in the Premier League this week, only offering his sage advice as the VAR numpty for Brighton vs Norwich City.
As always, the board will endeavour to follow the game (good viewing permitting) and post regular updates. Please feel free to post your own observations for the benefit of those unable to otherwise follow the match
All the best, UTW!!
Match Thread: Wolves v Aston Villa 2.4.2022 KO 3pm
Posted by: Wolves (IP Logged)
Date: 02/04/2022 09:35
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:05:01:18:06:28 by Ivybridge Wolf.
Afternoon All Well I’ve managed to find a bar in Torremolinos which can show our game and I’m surrounded by an enthusiastic bunch of Scottish lads on a stag do who are all enthusiastic about our team. Hoping for good things from our lads but think we might be up against it today.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:02:15:06:21 by Cheshire wolf.
Break down the middle, Moutinho passed to Podence, receives it due to a Villa defender slipping, shoots, but took far too long, comes out to Silva, blocked brilliantly, rebound out to Jonny who smashes it superbly into the net.
Silva now, he’s free, Martinez blocks well but it’s a corner . Silva should have done better to be honest. Coroner is eventually cleared after a period of sustained Wolves pressure.
Without Neves and Raul I was worried but good result and I think everyone did well.
Trincao has come good in the last two matches and at times in the first half played like a man possessed. Whether it's come too late for him we will have to see. Marcal did well too.
One of Fabio's best matches but he might not be ruthless enough in front of goal at the moment.
Not a penalty for me. Watkins made as much contact with Sa as the other way round and I agree that the referee lost control near the end.
Great result though, everyone did their bit and the double over Villa so a good day.
Well deserved 3 points, a nice derby double over the villa. Whole team played pretty well but we should of scored more goals, it wouldn't be wolves if it wasn't a nervy finish. Never a penalty for me but thankfully it didn't cost us. Another poor ref they just keep on coming don't they! Move over villa your time as the midlands top club is well and truly over! Wolves pride of the midlands. Well done me babbies! Oh and mind the Gap!
Typical derby game, no quarter given by either side.
Thanks for the link Paul, generally worked well just dropped out a couple of times.
Three more points on the board although Villa did their best and gave us a good game.
Agree with Andy that Trincao and Fabio probably had their best games to date but mom for me has to be Moutinho, he was relentless in midfield and showed his class again.
Not at our most thrilling or flamboyant but still did enough (just) to complete the double which always feels good.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment.
We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals.
We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards.
If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing
abuse@sportnetwork.net
