Aston Villa Beat Wolves 3-1 At Villa Park
Aston Villa scored two late goals as a frantic finish helped Unai Emery’s side beat rivals Wolves at Villa Park.
Wolves had been the better side in the first half and took the lead in the 25th minute through Matheus Cunha after the winger had intercepted Diego Carlos’ sloppy pass.
But the home side, who won on their return to the Champions League in midweek, woke up in the 73rd minute when striker Ollie Watkins was played in by Morgan Rogers and equalised with a deflected effort.
Defender Ezri Konsa completed Villa’s turnaround in the 88th minute, meeting Youri Tielemans’ superb cross with a sliding finish.
The home side rounded off their win on the break, as substitute Jhon Duran scored his fourth goal of the season deep into injury time by tapping in a Rogers pass across goal.
Villa’s match really started in the 73rd minute when they finally shook off their European hangover and levelled through Watkins’ third goal in as many matches.
After the equaliser, Villa Park expected a winner.
Emery’s side have tasted victory in all their matches bar one this season, which was itself a battling defeat by title challengers Arsenal.
The hosts pushed for a second and were rewarded by unlikely scorer Konsa sliding in for his first goal since he netted against Wolves in March.
Duran’s goal on the break – incredibly his fourth this season without starting a fixture – flattered the hosts, but Villa are now a team who find a way to win even when they play badly.
They move up to third in the Premier League – level on points with leaders Liverpool and Manchester City, who welcome Arsenal on Sunday.
Villa were marking their first home match since the death of former player Gary Shaw and tributes were made to the European Cup winner throughout Saturday afternoon.
The home side were without captain John McGinn for the second half after he picked up a knock, and was replaced by Ian Maatsen.
Next up for Villa is League One side Wycombe in the EFL Cup, before they take on Ipswich away in the league on Sunday.
