A Villa 1 – 1 Wolves

Leon Bailey missed a golden chance to complete Aston Villa’s comeback against Wolves but both sides had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Villa Park.

Danny Ings had come off the bench to equalise for Unai Emery’s side in a fiery West Midlands derby. Wolves had looked to be heading out of the relegation zone as a result of Daniel Podence’s fine early goal before Villa rallied in the second half.

Ultimately, Julen Lopetegui’s side were grateful for a point after Bailey rounded goalkeeper Jose Sa only to shoot wide of the near post with the goal gaping. The winger was in tears, distraught when the full-time whistle was blown just seconds later.

Villa move up to 11th. Wolves stay 19th.

How the West Midlands derby played out

There was little hint of the late drama early on. Wolves put Villa under pressure from the outset. The breakthrough goal itself was wonderfully worked, Joao Moutinho reversing the pass to Podence who finished superbly into the far corner.

Villa had been hugely impressive in defeating Tottenham but this was a different sort of game and with Wolves dominating the ball, the home support became increasingly agitated. They wanted to see possession and pressing but there was little of either for 45 minutes.

Emiliano Martinez, returning to the team following his World Cup win with Argentina, had to make a smart stop to prevent Matheus Nunes from doubling Wolves’ advantage while the closest Villa came in the first half was Lucas Digne’s free-kick that was tipped over.

The game changed completely in the second half following the introduction of Philippe Coutinho as Villa pushed for an equaliser and Wolves dropped deeper and deeper, relying on their own substitute Adama Traore to provide the threat on the counter-attack.

Max Kilman did well to clear Ludwig Augustinsson’s wicked volley off the line but with the crowd up, the momentum was irresistible and the equaliser came when Tyrone Mings’ long ball found Ings racing through the middle. Sa delayed and the striker lifted it over him.

There appeared to be only one winner at that point but Rayan Ait-Nouri forced a fine stop from Martinez after dancing between a number of Villa defenders for what would have been an extraordinary solo goal on the breakaway. The big chance was still to come.

Bailey appeared to have done the hard work having eluded the goalkeeper. But with the ball on his weaker right foot, he did not have the confidence or the technique to slot into the vacant net. He was distraught when the whistle came seconds later. A miss for the ages.

What’s next?

Aston Villa are back in action at Villa Park on Sunday when they host Stevenage in the FA Cup. Their next Premier League game is also at home when they face Leeds United on Friday January 13 live on Sky Sports.

Friday 13th January 7:30pm


Kick off 8:00pm

Wolves are away in their FA Cup third-round tie as they travel to Anfield to face Liverpool on Saturday. There is a Carabao Cup quarter-final at Nottingham Forest next Wednesday before they host West Ham on Saturday January 14.