Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Follow all the action from Villa Park
Follow live coverage as Aston Villa face Wolverhampton Wanderers today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves have now scored five first-half goals in as many Premier League games, and only Manchester City (eight) have managed more thus far. However, holding onto a lead has been beyond them, and Aston Villa are sure to improve after such a sub-par first-half performance. It's certainly set up beautifully for an intriguing second half.
Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
A textbook counter-attacking performance from Wolves sees the away side leading Aston Villa 1-0 at half-time, and it is an advantage that their efforts merit. Despite having much less of the ball, the Wolverhampton side have committed to defending resolutely and then raiding forward when the chance arises to break, and when presented the chance to strike by a Diego Carlos mistake midway through the half, Cunha pounced. His clinical finish was not the only opportunity the visitors carved out at Villa Park, as Ait-Nouri also came close, and their xG stands at 0.5 to the hosts' meagre 0.08. It seems to be a classic case of Champions League hangover for the Villans, but can they respond like last weekend and turn this game around after the break?
Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
As the action peters out in midfield, McGinn heads towards the touchline, so Aston Villa may be without their Scottish skipper for the second half. There will be some big decisions for Emery to make during the interval.
Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
The game is paused while McGinn receives treatment for what seems to be a minor injury, while both sets of supporters trade insults. This first half really has felt like a true local rivalry, and so far Wolves are deservedly coming out on top.
Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
After a number of early stoppages and a total of four bookings, there will be at least five additional minutes played at the end of this all-action first half.
Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves are on top as the first half draws to a close, with Villa Park falling into near silence as Dawson sees a header cleared away from the hosts' six-yard box. The home fans are tense, perhaps sensing that their team could soon be trailing by two.
Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
On the break, Strand Larsen is sent clear into the area, but as he slows to shoot from just inside the box, Diego Carlos narrows his angle and the striker shoots straight at Martinez. Villa's number one has been by far the busier goalkeeper so far.
Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Villa have not had a shot on target so far in this match, so surely Emery will be contemplating half-time changes. Not necessarily in terms of personnel, but attacking approach or perhaps even formation.
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