Wolves out of bottom three with victory over Villa

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde scored his first Premier League home goal for Wolves

Wolves moved out of the bottom three as Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Matheus Cunha's goals saw off Aston Villa for their first Premier League victory of 2025.

Bellegarde finished off a brilliant move for Vitor Pereira's side as he ran off the shoulder of Boubacar Kamara and drilled the ball low and hard into the bottom corner from a tight angle.

Then deep into stoppage time Cunha glided into the box and arrowed a precise finish past Emiliano Martinez to wrap up a well-deserved victory.

Hours after the match Wolves confirmed that Brazil forward Cunha, who had been linked with a move away from Molineux in the past month, had signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract.

Goncalo Guedes missed a hat-trick of chances to make Wolves' lead much more comfortable before half-time.

Arsenal target Ollie Watkins went off injured at the break in a blow to Unai Emery's side after fellow striker Jhon Duran departed for Al-Nassr this week.

Substitute Donyell Malen almost made a swift impact after he was introduced, but his first Villa goal was ruled out for offside after a video assistant referee (VAR) check ruled that Morgan Rogers' movement impeded the run of Nelson Semedo.

The victory moves Wolves up to 17th, two points above Leicester City, while Villa remain eighth.

Cunha signs Wolves deal after wrapping up win

It is the first time since 26 December against Manchester United that Wolves have won in the league - and they did it the hard way.

"We played as a team with true spirit, working together and suffering together," boss Pereira said

"I'm very happy. An important game not only for the three points but to break this [winless run]."

Cunha was denied by keeper Martinez after being sent through on goal and bustling past Kamara with Guedes firing the rebound narrowly wide.

Just before the break, Guedes had another opportunity but lacked composure at the crucial moment, shooting wide of the target once again.

Guedes latched on to a through ball but a sprawling save from Martinez denied him for the third time, before Cunha finally sealed Wolves' win with a great finish.

The Brazil forward had been linked with a move away from Molineux, but at the final whistle he gestured to the home fans that he was staying, before repeatedly tapping his heart and kissing the Wolves badge.

In a final gesture Cunha blew kisses in every direction and headed down the tunnel after sealing a vital three points, before Wolves announced the striker's new deal 22:15 GMT.

Villa's European hangover continues

Emery's quadruple half-time substitution summed up the first 45 minutes for Villa, who failed to register a shot on target before the break.

Debutant Andres Garcia was among those replaced, while Watkins was withdrawn because of injury.

With Duran's departure and Watkins' second-half absence, Villa were lacking going forward.

The club are closing in on a loan deal for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford before Monday's transfer deadline but Emery would not comment on specific players when asked after the game.

"We need some players," he said. "We need to replace some players who left.

"I think we'll get some players to help us because we're in the Champions League last 16. We have to try to get points in the Premier League to be top eight, seven, six, five."

Malen tapped in from close range after John McGinn played the ball across the box but it was ruled out for Rogers' offside.

The Netherlands forward was sent through in added time but Jose Sa closed the gap and made a huge save before Wolves added a second goal.

The away side had 68% possession but came out second best against a determined Wolves - the first time they have lost a league match when having more than half of the ball this season.

It is not entirely surprising Villa came away empty-handed, this being the seventh time they were winless in a league game straight after playing in the Champions League - three home draws and four away defeats.

Villa finished eighth in the league phase of the Champions League after beating Celtic 4-2, and will be relieved to avoid two extra play-off games as a result.