Wolverhampton Wanderers

Dazzling Dave
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves delivered a much-improved display in their narrow defeat by Aston Villa, producing a performance that suggested this season may not be a complete write-off.

Against a Villa side chasing Europe, many feared it could be one-way traffic. Instead, Wolves were disciplined, organised and showed real fight.

The backline stayed compact, the midfield worked hard, and the team as a whole looked far more connected than in recent weeks. The overall display was much better, with more cohesion between players and a clearer identity.

Rob Edwards' work on the training pitch was clear. The shape was better, the press was more coordinated and there was a clearer plan. For the first time in a while, there were a few green shoots of hope for Wolves fans.

Yet the same old problem remains. Wolves struggle badly with chance creation and, especially, finishing.

The numbers tell their own story: Wolves did not score a single goal in the month of November. That is shocking.

Time and again, Wolves were punished for not taking their chances. There is hesitancy in the final third. It does not look like it is only about quality - confidence seems to be a major factor.

To turn performances into points, Wolves must find ways to get players in good positions in the area and be braver with the final pass.

There were positives - Jorgen Strand Larsen even found the net, only for his effort to be ruled out for offside in somewhat controversial fashion. He looked more like his old self, leading the line, working hard and linking play.

Edwards still has a huge job on his hands, but this felt like a step in the right direction.

Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Teams sitting on 11 points or fewer after 13 Premier League games are usually in some trouble, but history shows survival is far from impossible.

Eight sides have managed to escape from that position, most recently Nottingham Forest in 2022-23, who had only nine points at this stage, yet pulled clear under Steve Cooper.

Perhaps the most striking example is Crystal Palace in 2013-14. The Eagles had just seven points after 13 matches and looked destined for relegation, but a managerial reset changed everything.

Ian Holloway departed on 23 October, Tony Pulis arrived a month later, and under the former Stoke boss, Palace surged to an 11th-place finish with 45 points. Caretaker Keith Millen bridged the gap with four games in between.

Interestingly, of the eight sides who survived from such a low base, only three made managerial changes mid-season: Palace (Pulis for Holloway), West Brom (Bryan Robson replacing Gary Megson) and Southampton (Mauricio Pochettino for Nigel Adkins).

For the others, stability rather than upheaval proved the route to safety - food for thought for West Ham, Leeds United, Burnley and Wolves who are either at or under that 11-point mark through 13 games this season.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Aston Villa and Wolves.

Here are some of your comments:

Villa fans

Hazton: As a local derby it was never going to be an easy win, despite Wolves being rock bottom. To get a hard fought win was a good result in the end. We are playing well and clawing out results. That's what matters.

Malcolm: Three points is three points but, overall, it was a poor performance. One has to admit Wolves deserved something from the game.

Dave: If we'd have had the option to keep Rashford on the left, we'd be pushing for the top slot. Aston Villa... quietly does it!! Emery is remarkable. We have a cracking squad!

Robin: A good win with a great goal. Other than that, the overall performance was poor. Rogers at his worst. Some poor passing and losing possession. Must be more clinical to maintain league position.

Julian: Wolves are our bogey team. Ugly game, ugly win. Move on.

Wolves fans

Mike: Totally unjustified scoreline - Martinez was much the busier keeper. I can see signs of progress already in the two games under Edwards, but we need to start getting some results from the two home games this week. As long as the team shows the fight and determination seen in this game, the crowd will get behind them. I just wish Fosun would sell the club to someone with a bit of interest.

Col: Edwards has us harder to beat. Credit to him for that. Unfortunately, there's just no quality in this team. Derby's low points record is going this season.

David: This was a decent team performance with expert goalkeeping by Martinez and bad luck both in front of goal. There was also a missed foul on Joao Gomes for Villa's goal, so we may even have been denied a surprise victory. Given it is Edwards' second game in charge, and against high-flying opponents, it is hard to criticise, but there will still need to be a very steep curve of improving confidence at least if the miracle is to happen.

Rhys: I want to say we played really well and we put up a good fight, but we just didn't. Same old story - boring first half, better team in the second - but still end up conceding. But, I remain confident Wolves will have a miracle and we definitely will make the great escape.

Pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

There's a London derby as Chelsea take on Arsenal, Manchester United travel to Crystal Palace, and struggling Wolves make the short journey to Aston Villa. Elsewhere, West Ham entertain Liverpool and Nottingham Forest face Brighton.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

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• Aston Villa 1-0 Wolves

• Nottingham Forest 0-2 Brighton

• West Ham 0-2 Liverpool

• Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Once Emi Martinez tipped Yerson Mosquera's header on to the bar before half-time the result felt eerily predictable.

Wolves had the better chances and had the ball in the net - before VAR denied Jorgen Strand Larsen - and caused Villa some real trouble.

Ultimately, it was an even game, one which Wolves could have won, but - as so often - they lacked the final bit of quality - or luck - to get that result.

In contrast to Villa, Wolves just miss that player who is able to conjure a magic moment and paid the price.

They did deserve something from the game and, again, there was plenty of heart and commitment but the result extended the winless start to 13, approaching Sheffield United's unwanted Premier League record of 17.

If Wolves can recreate the performance against lesser sides - and more importantly take their chances - then they can dream of one of the greatest of escapes.

But after a winless start to the season, one which cost Vitor Pereira his job, Wolves need more than just hope.

Rob Edwards spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Wolves' defeat against Aston Villa: "What I saw was a really good performance and a team that showed commitment. It was a derby game and the players recognised that - they showed a lot of fight.

"I'm happy with the performance but disappointed with the result.

"The difference between last week and this week was really big. It was fine margins. The build-up to the goal could have been different, I thought it was a foul on Joao [Gomes] and that stops play but they go on and score.

"There were a lot of good things to take and if we're going to win we need to play like that. We showed a good side of ourselves today. But football is about winning as well and that's what we're missing at the moment."

On whether there were positives: "We showed intensity and fight. We didn't let our heads go down and continued to push. We were organised and limited them - they can open teams up but didn't do that today.

"There was a lot to like today apart from the result. We kept going right to the end and I think the supporters could see that. I hate losing, we all do, but we're going the right way and need to believe that."

Listen to Edwards' chat with BBC Radio WM here

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Aston Villa's performance

What did you make of Wolves' display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Ollie Watkins is dropped from Aston Villa's Premier League starting XI as Unai Emery keeps faith with Donyell Malen.

Former Borussia Dortmund forward Malen scored twice in the 2-1 Europa League win over Young Boys on Thursday, while Watkins has netted just once this season.

It is the only change from last weekend's 2-1 win at Leeds, although Amadou Onana returns to the bench.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, McGinn, Tielemans, Kamara, Rogers, Buendia, Malen.

Subs: Bizot, Lindelof, Maatsen, Bogarde, Barclay, Sancho, Guessand, Onana, Watkins

Wolves boss Rob Edwards makes three changes as they look for their first Premier League win of the season.

Yerson Mosquera, Jhon Arias and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde come in at Villa Park.

Marshall Munetsi and Tolu Arokodare drop to the bench while Ladislav Krejci misses out with an injury.

Wolves XI: Johnstone, Tchatchoua, Agbadou, Mosquera, Toti, Wolfe, Joao Gomes, Andre, Bellegarde, Strand Larsen, Arias.

Subs: Sa, Hugo Bueno, Santi Bueno, Munetsi, Hoever, Hwang, Arokodare, Mane, Chirewa

Listen to BBC West Midlands commentary of Aston Villa v Wolves at 14:05 on Sunday on BBC Sounds

There are five games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Crystal Palace v Manchester United (12:00)

• Aston Villa v Wolves - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Nottingham Forest v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• West Ham v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Chelsea v Arsenal (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:05 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction from the first four games here

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Rob Edwards did not get the start he wanted with Wolves last week and things will not be any easier here.

I am not expecting any surprises, and everything points towards an Aston Villa win.

Villa's only real issue at the moment is that Ollie Watkins cannot find his form - I have been there myself as a striker, when you can just become a bit hesitant rather than instinctive, but it will only take a goal or two to get him going again.

As for Wolves, well they are in desperate trouble. I remember one season with Blackburn [1996-97] when we had four points from our first 11 Premier League games.

We ended up staying up but, with respect, we had some good players and were also super aggressive with the way that we played to pick up results. I am not so sure Wolves have that about them.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Listen to BBC West Midlands commentary of Aston Villa v Wolves at 14:05 on Sunday on BBC Sounds

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

Five games into the season, Aston Villa and Wolves were the only two teams in the Premier League without a win and were both marooned in the relegation zone. Seven matches later, the West Midlands rivals are separated by 19 points. BBC Sport explores some of the talking points ahead of Sunday's meeting (14:05 GMT).

Home, sweet home for Villa

Villa have soared from 18th place to fourth prior to the weekend fixtures thanks to a run of six wins in seven games. They recorded a seventh straight home victory in all competitions by beating Young Boys in Thursday's Europa League encounter, and their only defeat in 30 games at Villa Park came in August against a Crystal Palace side who are kryptonite to Unai Emery's men.

No team in Europe's major leagues has as few home defeats over the past 30 matches, while only three have more wins.

Malen providing greater goal threat than Watkins

Donyell Malen further pressed his case for a first Premier League start in six weeks by scoring both of Villa's goals on Thursday to put them third in the Europa League table. It took his club tally for the season to six, all scored at Villa Park. Conversely, out-of-sorts fellow forward Ollie Watkins has just a solitary goal and assist in his past 20 appearances.

While Watkins has badly underperformed his expected goals tally of 4.3 this season, Malen has scored two goals more than expected based on the quality of chances he has had.

Can Edwards galvanise toothless Wolves?

New Wolves head coach Rob Edwards returns to Villa Park, where he started his playing career, with his side in danger of suffering six Premier League defeats in a row in the same season for the first time since 2012.

They are winless in 16 league games dating back to May and this season's tally of two points is the third worst record after 12 matches in English top-flight history. Manchester United were pointless at the same stage in 1930-31, while Sheffield United had one point in 2020-21.

A home defeat against Crystal Palace in Edwards' first game in charge last weekend left Wolves nine points from safety. Edwards opted for a back five and large-and-larger strike partnership of Jorgen Strand Larsen and Tolu Arokodare, but the head coach said afterwards the team's shape for each game would probably depend on who they are playing.

No player has scored more than once for Wolves in the league this season, an issue encapsulated by Jhon Arias contriving to miss from a few yards out against Palace. Top of Edwards' priorities must surely be to find a solution to the team's attacking deficiencies.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Boss Rob Edwards wants to achieve something "incredible" with Wolves as they fight for Premier League survival.

Rock-bottom Wolves are nine points adrift of safety before Sunday's trip to Aston Villa.

No team has survived with just two points from their opening 12 Premier League games, with Edwards having lost his first match to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

"We want to achieve something incredible - of course we do. I want to give people belief and give people hope," he said.

"We're in this situation now and this is why I'm sitting in this chair. This is why I'm here, why there has been a change.

"I understand the position we're in.

"All we can do is concentrate on our work on a daily basis, every day, and then try to perform as well as we can, which we will do in the games.

"But no-one's done it before from this position."

Former defender Edwards returns to former club Villa, having played nine times for the club after starting his career at Villa Park.

Villa have lost just once at home in the league in over a year, while Wolves have not won in the Premier League for over seven months.

Edwards added: "There's a belief that if we can work the right way, and we can do it every day, we can dig ourselves out of this really tough position. But also there's a realism to it as well."

Sean Byrne
BBC Sport researcher

Wolves boss Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at Villa Park (kick-off 14:05 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news against Aston Villa: "Matt Doherty has returned to training, today's session is the first he's really joined, but we'll see. He still has another day tomorrow. One or two with bumps and bruises, but fairly healthy group there."

• Edwards added that goalkeeper Dan Bentley will be out for another "few weeks".

• On this week's training at his new club: "It's been a smoother week. Last week was fine but a bit bitty. It's been an easier week because we have had a consistent group to work with."

• Edwards speaking about what gives him hope that Wolves can survive this season: "Last week I spoke about a realism. Of course there is a belief there that we can dig ourselves out of this really tough position we are in. But also there is a realism that it's never been done before."

• On what he learned from his first game in charge against Crystal Palace: "There was a lot of tactical things we need to improve on. That'll continue to be the case for a while, it's not a quick fix. there's lots we need to do to try to fix that."

• Looking towards the Aston Villa match: "This is a really special game. It's good that I know and understand it as well, two clubs that I've represented, I know what it means to both sets of supporters. I want us to go out there and give it our all and put on a really strong performance."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra - coverage starts at 14:00 GMT on Sunday

You an also listen to more from Edwards here

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Former Wolves midfielder Dave Edwards expects new head coach Rob Edwards to "galvanise" the stricken side.

Winless after 12 games in the Premier League, Wolves are propping up the table, eight points adrift of 19th-placed Burnley.

After losing his first game in charge against Crystal Palace last Saturday, Edwards takes his side to Aston Villa this weekend before hosting Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, 3 December.

Dave Edwards made 307 appearances for Wolves, including playing under the new manager - the club's fifth in four years - when he took caretaker charge of two games in 2016, and believes he will make an impact.

"He'll be able to galvanise the football club from within," he said. Once you start to do that, and then get the players on board as well, that will naturally then feed outside of the building at Compton and Molineux and towards the fanbase.

"One of his first jobs is to lift the confidence because, with the start they've had, it'll be on the floor.

"He ticks so many boxes for what the fans want and need."

New boss Edwards left Middlesbrough second in the Championship to take over a relegation battle at Molineux that already looks lost, and there is concern about the lack of Premier League know-how within their squad.

"A lot of the players they've brought in haven't got that," Dave Edwards said.

"In the past, it's worked. We brought players in with a reputation in Europe or South America and they came in and did well - but they came into a team which already had that Premier League experience, whereas it has been wholesale changes this year."

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

Image source, Getty Images

"We learned a lot," said Rob Edwards on Saturday night after his side lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace. "I suppose the result will send people thinking a certain way straight away."

It did, although not with any surprise. Many Wolves fans, not to mention much of the wider football public, have already assumed where their season will end.

Such is the level of despair that some have already contacted BBC Radio West Midlands to worry about the prospect of a "double dip" - successive relegations.

That anxiety feels like an overreaction just now, but is the product of bitter memory. A Wolves fan in their mid-40s has already experienced that dismal fate twice in their lifetime – coupled with a complete loss of faith in the abilities of the club's hierarchy to prevent it from happening.

None of that is Edwards' fault, and he stoically took the disappointment of finding there would be no new manager bounce. He found comfort in numbers that confirmed the naked-eye evidence that his players had given their best efforts.

It was also fair for him to note Wolves did create a few chances. Although they were denied more by their own hamfisted attempts to take them than any defensive brilliance from Palace, it was better than creating nothing at all.

Next weekend's selection, after his first full week with the players, may give a clearer indication of what style Edwards is likely to settle on, and which players in his squad he thinks are best equipped to carry it out.

He advised against drawing too many conclusions from his first XI, notable for being the first starting line-up to include both of the tall strikers, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Tolu Arokodare.

"What we have stressed, and said to the boys as well from day one is that we will change," said Edwards. "There'll be a clear plan. We'll explain why and we'll involve them in that process, but we've got to try and find a way to get results."

Nobody questions Edwards' commitment and there is no reason to doubt that the players are trying their hardest. His biggest opponent in the short-term - an even larger obstacle perhaps than the lack of quality in his squad - may be the sense of futility that was around Molineux by the final whistle last Saturday.

How do you keep players motivated to reach a goal that the rest of the world has already decided is unattainable?

Listen to full commentary of Aston Villa v Wolves from 14:05 GMT on Sunday on BBC Radio WM

And tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights

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Emma Milton
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Rob Edwards' first game in charge did not bring a new manager bounce, as Wolves lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace. However, there were clear signs of what he got right, along with some things he got wrong.

First, the shape was a big positive. Wolves looked compact, organised, and refused to be rolled over. Palace needed a huge slice of luck for Munoz's tap-in and a brilliant strike from Yeremy Pino. Apart from that, we did not give up many clear chances, which has not been the case for most of this season. There was real fight, grit, and hunger in the way we defended.

Edwards also did what many fans have been begging for. He started Jorgen Strand Larsen and Tolu Arokodare together. That was the right call. The pair linked up a few times and gave us a real presence at both ends, especially when defending set pieces. The idea of the partnership is promising.

The big problem was what they had around them. We used two strikers without a real creator behind them. Tolu and Strand Larsen want balls to feet and good crosses, not hopeful long balls and scraps. Marshall Munetsi works hard, but he does not have the vision or passing to unlock a defence. Leaving a more creative option like Fer Lopez on the bench felt like a mistake, and the result was simple. We did not create enough.

Then came the changes, and these did not add anything to the game. Taking Tolu off was probably down to fitness rather than performance, but Hwang's sloppy giveaway before the second goal summed the day up. If we were chasing a goal, bringing on someone like Fer Lopez or Hugo Bueno made far more sense. The truth is, the answer to our creativity problem may not be in this squad at all.

I worry we will be so far adrift by January that the board will not invest, and that quiet acceptance of relegation has already set in. Wolves are averaging 0.16 points per game. If that form continues all season, we finish on six points. That is damning.

Overall, the performance showed more steel, but the attack is still blunt. Edwards needs time, and a full week on the training ground before Villa away should tell us more. The base looks better. Now he has to find a spark.

These problems did not appear overnight, and they will not be fixed overnight. Our custodians have failed to plan or invest properly, and it is difficult, maybe impossible, to overcome this.

Find more from Emma Milton at Always Wolves, external

Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes has had his head turned by Manchester United's interest in him and would be keen on a January move. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Striker Tolu Arokodare insists Wolves still have belief despite being cut adrift at the bottom of the Premier League.

New head coach Rob Edwards lost his first game in charge after Crystal Palace earned a deserved 2-0 victory at Molineux on Saturday.

It left Wolves bottom, winless from their opening 12 games and nine points from safety - eight behind Burnley in 19th - ahead of Sunday's trip to Aston Villa.

"I'm not going to say it could turn but I'm saying it will get better," said Arokodare, who has scored twice for Wolves, both in the Carabao Cup, this season.

"It's a long season, 12 games have gone, we haven't get the results we wanted but we can't hold onto that. We have to focus on the next ones. There is the belief – we cannot lose hope now. We cannot doubt ourselves.

"We have to stick together, stay focused and confident and go into every game and try to win it."

An ex-Wolves player and coach, Edwards returned to Molineux earlier this month after leaving Middlesbrough.

He has swapped the Championship promotion race with Boro for a relegation battle with Wolves and Arokodare, who signed from Genk for £24m in the summer, expects changes at Molineux.

"I don't think he would have taken the job unless he thought he could help us, want to win and change how the results have been," he said.

"I think he took the job to bring positive change here. We all want that – me, Rob, all the players and the fans. Hopefully we will get there.

"It's been pretty good. I cannot say too much because I also have respect for the previous manager as it was a tough period for him.

"It's not going to be easy for Rob because we're in a very difficult period. He has handled it pretty good. He has brought a lot of positivity, which we saw in this game.

"I believe there will be changes and I hope those changes come as soon as possible. The changes are in the playing style and tactics and in how he wants us to work."

Wolves boss Rob Edwards maintains there has been no official approach from Manchester United for £44m-rated Brazil midfielder Joao Gomes, 24. (Express, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Wolves and Crystal Palace.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Richard: I just can't see any light at the end of the tunnel. Sorry, but Championship football next season.

Colin: Played well considering we have no Premier League quality players. These are League One level lads getting taken apart week in, week out by genuine Premier League talent. We won't score another point this season.

Dairve: Christmas miracle? We would need the Easter bunny and the tooth fairy as well to get out of this. At best, we are a mid-table Championship side.

Steve: Players are getting the experience in the Premier League, but at the same time being taught a lesson in finishing. Once they start to learn to finish and score, they will come through.

Crystal Palace fans

David: I simply couldn't be prouder of Oliver Glasner and our incredible team. They seem to be able to overcome every obstacle they encounter and keep moving forward and upwards. They deserve every success, every win. Brilliant.

Paul: A very disciplined performance with every player putting in a shift and capped by a superb goal by Pino.

Al: Gritty, professional and hardy performance. Defensively solid, and this team works as a complete unit. Always satisfying bringing three points back from a difficult away trip.

Paul B: Good times for Crystal Palace, who look as if they've been able to do what Liverpool so miserably haven't and seamlessly integrated new players. The club looks very stable just now.

Adam Cottier
Final Score reporter at Molineux

Image source, Getty Images

Rob Edwards' grimace at the end told a story on its own - and his regular post-match 'lap of appreciation' bore the hallmarks of a club in deepest peril.

So few Wolves fans stayed behind to clap back at Edwards that there barely seemed any point in doing it. A chastening end to a day he dreamed of. It would have hurt.

The new Wolves boss must harbour hope that better days lie ahead, but that might mean a drop into the league from which he came.

Those supporters are deeply disgruntled with events on and off the pitch. Wolves are only the eighth team ever to go the opening 12 games of a Premier League season without winning, which is abysmal.

If this game was to be taken in isolation, it stands alone as a damning indictment of where Wolves are at. Their squad does not appear to have the minerals and they do not look good enough to even finish higher than bottom.

The limited chances they had resulted in wild swipes or miscalculated final balls. Decision making and tactical discipline was poor. Jorgen Strand Larsen - up top and bereft of goals this season - looked alone.

Wolves barely made an imprint on Crystal Palace. Oliver Glasner said it was hard work for his team. That was untrue in many people's guises as the evening mist descended on Molineux.

January cannot come soon enough for Wolves if - and it is a monumental if - there remains any vestige of hope. And even then they must get things right.

On this evidence, they have not got recruitment right in recent times and it has left Edwards with a task that would be beyond even the most experienced managers.

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Rob Green join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Newcastle 2-1 Manchester City

• Liverpool 0-3 Nottingham Forest

• Fulham 1-0 Sunderland