Wolves 1-0 Aston Villa Player Ratings: Joao Gomes, Rodrigo Gomes Give Hosts Crucial Points Amid Relegation Battle | EPL

Wolverhampton Wanderers produced a calm and confident display to beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Molineux Stadium. It was a win built on discipline, patience, and sharp finishing. The home fans left the stadium proud and satisfied.

The first half was tight and tense. Clear chances were hard to find. Wolves stayed compact and focused. They allowed Villa to have the ball but protected their defence well. Aston Villa moved the ball around but lacked quality in the final third. Their passes were loose. Their attacks lacked bite.

Following the break, the game opened up. Just after the hour mark, João Gomes struck. He finished smartly and sparked wild celebrations inside Molineux. The goal gave Wolves belief and forced Villa to push forward.

Villa chased the game but left spaces behind. Wolves waited for the right moment. Deep into stoppage time, that moment arrived. A quick counter-attack caught Villa out, and substitute Rodrigo Gomes calmly sealed the victory. In this article, we'll discuss Wolves vs Astol Villa player ratings from the EPL game.

Key Takeaways

1. João Gomes broke the deadlock just after the hour mark with a sharp finish to give Wolves the lead.
2. Aston Villa pushed forward in search of an equalizer but struggled to break down Wolves’ disciplined defence.
3. Rodrigo Gomes sealed the 2-0 victory in stoppage time with a clinical counter-attacking goal.

Aston Villa Player Ratings vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

Check out Aston Villa player ratings from the Premier League game against Wolves:

Goalkeeper

Emiliano Martínez - 5.5: A difficult day for the Villa keeper. He couldn't do much about either goal, to be fair. The first was a well-placed shot and the second was a one-on-one on the break. His distribution was decent with a 95% pass accuracy, but he wasn't tested much otherwise. He only had to make saves he was expected to make. A quiet game where he was ultimately let down by his defence and attack.

Defenders

Matty Cash - 5.0: A really tough outing for Cash. He was busy down the flank but his final product was poor, with only 3 of his 7 crosses finding a teammate. He got booked late on and committed four fouls, showing his frustration. Defensively, he was dribbled past three times and just didn't seem at his best. We noticed he lost possession 16 times which is far too many.

Ezri Konsa - 6.0: The captain on the day tried to hold things together, and his passing was almost perfect. He won most of his duels and made a few important interceptions. However, as the leader of the backline, he has to take some responsibility for the lack of a clean sheet. He was solid for the most part but the defence was breached twice.

Pau Torres - 5.5: Like his partner Konsa, Torres was neat on the ball with 94% pass accuracy. He played some good passes into the final third. But defensively, he was part of a unit that conceded two goals and didn't look entirely comfortable. He only won two duels all game. We expected a more commanding presence from a player of his quality.

Lucas Digne - 5.0: A very underwhelming performance from Digne before he was substituted. He offered little going forward, with just one successful cross from five attempts. He was a non-entity defensively, not winning a single duel. It was no surprise to see him taken off. A game he'll want to move on from quickly.

Midfielders

Douglas Luiz - 6.0: He was tidy in possession during his 60 minutes on the pitch. He created a couple of chances and had a shot on target himself. From our perspective, he was one of Villa's better players before being surprisingly substituted. He kept the ball moving but couldn't provide the spark needed to break Wolves down.

Amadou Onana - 5.0: A strange performance. He won a good number of aerial duels but struggled on the ground, being dribbled past twice. He missed a big chance and his shooting was wayward. He worked hard and recovered the ball four times but looked off the pace. We felt he was a passenger for large parts of the game.

Emiliano Buendía - 4.5: A really poor display from Buendía. He gave away five fouls and picked up a silly yellow card. He was a liability and constantly broke up his team's rhythm. He lost possession 12 times and was dispossessed twice before being hooked. His frustration was evident and he offered next to nothing creatively.

Forwards

Jadon Sancho - 5.5: He showed a few neat touches and created one chance in his hour on the field. However, it was another one of those performances where he just drifted in and out of the game. For a player with his talent, we expect so much more. He completed one dribble but was largely ineffective before his substitution.

Morgan Rogers - 6.5: Probably Villa's brightest spark, which isn't saying much. He was always trying to make things happen, taking four shots with two on target. He was a willing runner and tried to take players on. However, he also lost possession a staggering 17 times. A mixed bag, but at least he showed some fight and intent.

Ollie Watkins - 5.0: A ghost-like performance from Villa's talisman. He was completely anonymous, touching the ball only 24 times in 86 minutes. He had one shot blocked and that was his only real contribution. The service to him was poor, but he also did very little to get involved. A really quiet and disappointing evening for him.

Substitutes

Leon Bailey - 5.5: Came on but couldn't change the game. He picked up a yellow card for a frustrated foul. Had one shot blocked but otherwise struggled to make an impact.

Ross Barkley - 6.0: Looked composed when he came on and created a decent chance for Maatsen. Brought a bit of calm to the midfield but it was too little, too late.

Tammy Abraham - 6.0: Provided a focal point and set up two half-chances. Looked more involved than Watkins had been.

Ian Maatsen - 6.5: Was a real threat after coming on. Forced a great save from Sá and was involved in some of Villa's best attacks late on. A positive cameo.

Alysson Edward - N/A: Came on too late to have any real influence on the proceedings.

Manager

U. Emery Etxegoien - 5.0: His team looked flat and devoid of ideas. The substitutions didn't have the desired effect, and Villa were second best all over the park. A tactical loss for Emery, whose side was out-thought and out-fought by their opponents.

Wolves Player Ratings vs Aston Villa

Here are Wolves player ratings from the game:

Goalkeeper

José Sá - 8.0: The captain was excellent. He made four crucial saves, including a couple of sharp stops in the second half to preserve his clean sheet. He commanded his area well and his distribution was decent. A confident and reassuring performance from the man between the sticks.

Defenders

Yerson Mosquera - 8.5: Our man of the match. An absolutely immense defensive performance. He was a rock at the back, winning 7 duels and making 3 tackles. His standout moment was a heroic clearance off the line. He read the game beautifully and was a constant thorn in Villa's side. The yellow card was the only minor flaw in a near-perfect display.

Santiago Bueno - 7.5: A very solid and composed performance. He made six clearances and two crucial blocks. He wasn't flashy but did his defensive duties with minimal fuss. He was strong and reliable, playing a huge part in securing the clean sheet. A really effective display.

Toti - 8.0: Another standout in the Wolves backline. He made five clearances and two interceptions, popping up everywhere. He missed a chance in the first half but his defensive work was exceptional. He was strong in the air and on the ground, winning most of his duels. A fantastic, all-action defensive shift.

Midfielders

Jackson Tchatchoua - 7.0: A solid performance at wing-back. He was defensively sound, making a number of recoveries and interceptions. His crossing was also a threat, delivering two accurate balls into the box. A disciplined and effective performance.

João Gomes - 8.0: A superb midfield performance capped with the crucial opening goal. He was energetic, tenacious, and brilliant on the ball, completing all three of his dribbles. He won 7 of his 12 duels and was a constant driving force from the middle of the park. A truly game-winning contribution.

André - 7.0: The anchor in midfield had a very tidy game before his injury. He protected the back four well, winning five duels and making seven recoveries. His passing was simple but effective, keeping Wolves ticking over. A quietly impressive performance that showed his importance to the team.

Hugo Bueno - 7.5: An excellent display from the wing-back. He was a threat going forward, attempting six dribbles, and was solid defensively, winning seven duels and making two tackles. He was energetic up and down the left flank all game. What stood out was his work rate and desire.

Forwards

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde - 6.5: Worked tirelessly for the team until he was substituted. He drew fouls and was a general nuisance, though his final product could have been better. He was combative, winning five duels, but didn't create too many clear-cut chances. A decent shift.

Mateus Mané - 7.0: A real handful for the Villa defence. He drew five fouls, showing how difficult he was to handle. While his shooting was a bit wayward, his movement and ability to hold up the ball were crucial. He was a constant outlet and never gave the defenders a moment's peace.

Adam Armstrong - 7.0: Provided the assist for the opening goal, a vital contribution. He worked his socks off for the team, making five ball recoveries. He was a pest throughout, even if he didn't get a clear sight of goal himself. His energy set the tone for the press.

Substitutes

Tolu Arokodare - 6.0: Came on and helped see the game out. Held the ball up well.

Angel Gomes - N/A: Came on late for the injured André.

Rodrigo Gomes - 7.5: The dream impact substitute. He came on and sealed the win with a coolly taken goal on the counter-attack. Couldn't have asked for more.

Manager

R. Edwards - 8.5: His game plan worked to perfection. His team was organized, disciplined, and dangerous on the break. They completely nullified Villa's attack and were deserved winners. The substitutions were timely and effective. A tactical masterclass from the Wolves boss.

Man of the Match

Sportsdunia's player of the match was Yerson Mosquera.

Worst Performer

Emiliano Buendía had a bad day on the field.