Wolves vs Aston Villa – Match preview and team news

Molineux is braced for a pivotal West Midlands derby tonight as bottom-placed Wolves attempt to derail third-placed Aston Villa’s Champions League charge under the lights.

Rob Edwards’ men remain marooned at the foot of the Premier League with only 10 points from 28 fixtures, 17 short of safety. A stirring 2-2 draw with leaders Arsenal last time out offered rare hope, yet a league-high 15 blanks in front of goal underline the urgent need for cutting edge if the Old Gold are to avoid relegation.

Across the Midlands, Unai Emery’s Villa arrive on 51 points and with genuine designs on a top-four finish. Still, recent evidence suggests chinks in the armour: a laboured 1-1 draw with Leeds, rescued by Tammy Abraham’s 88th-minute strike, extended their winless February run to one victory in five outings. Villa’s difficulty in breaking down low-block outfits will be scrutinised once more against a Wolves side that has proved stubborn at Molineux.

Team news favours the hosts slightly in defence. Ladislav Krejči is banned after his red card versus Crystal Palace, yet captain Toti is poised to start following a two-month injury absence. Hwang Hee-chan has rejoined training but is unlikely to be risked. Villa, meanwhile, hope to welcome winger Alysson back into the fold, though John McGinn, Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara remain unavailable. Abraham’s impact off the bench against Leeds has put him in contention, though Ollie Watkins is still expected to spearhead the attack.

Wolves’ recent record offers encouragement only against the league’s strugglers: all seven of their Premier League wins this term have come versus sides in the bottom seven, and they are winless in 17 attempts against current top-half opposition. Villa, for their part, have triumphed just once in five fixtures when enjoying 65% or more possession this season, a tactical puzzle Emery must solve.

Predicted line-ups Wolves: Sa; Mosquera, S. Bueno, Toti; Tchatchoua, Bellegarde, Andre, H. Bueno; A. Gomes, Armstrong, Mane. Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; Onana, Luiz; Bailey, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins.

The match will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with kick-off set to ignite a derby that carries huge implications at both ends of the table.