Wolves recorded only their second Premier League win of the season on Friday when they triumphed 2-0 over Aston Villa at Molineux.
Here are our scout notes from the West Midlands derby.
“SOLID” WOLVES
This was a fully deserved win for Wolves, who executed their game plan at Molineux to perfection.
Rob Edwards’ troops have now avoided defeat in four of their last six home games, a run in which they have kept three clean sheets, as they continue to show defensive improvements under their new head coach.
It suggests that Liverpool’s visit to Molineux on Tuesday could be a trickier night for the Reds than the level of difficulty would lead us to believe.
“The defending was great, there was a desire to block and defend our goal with our lives. You need that not only in a derby, but all the time. We have been solid – the statistics of the last fifteen games we are completely ready for defensive work. But a single defensive mistake: you are punished at this level. We are improving, that is all we can do. We will keep our heads down and keep our feet on the ground. We will show courage and fight and continue to get as many points as we can.” can.” – Rob Edwards
Yerson Mosquera (£4.3 million) and the adjustment All Gomes (£4.2m) both impressed at the back, with the banks’ defensive contribution (DefCon) picking up points in the process.
The advanced ones Jackson Tchatchoua (£4.4m) was also fantastic.
He scored a match-high six crosses from open play and helped create the opener João Gomes (£5.3 million).
“Because he is so fast, he is expected to beat a man and cross. I want him to be brave, positive and in the foreground. His defensive work was also excellent.” – Rob Edwards on Jackson Tchatchoua
MOSQUE ON BAN + WHY TOLU WAS ON THE BENCH
Despite what the FPL site says, Mosquera’s first-half booking at Molineux earned him nine yellow cards for the season, not ten.
However, another warning before the Wolves match, their 32nd match, will result in a two-match ban.
In other news, Edwards said he has made his decision Three Arokodares (£5.4m) from Wolves’ starting line-up was “purely tactical”, after the Nigerian striker suffered racist abuse last week.
With Tolu on the couch, Adam Armstrong (£5.4m) played the role of central striker and provided the assist for Joao Gomes’ opener, with Matthew Manen (£4.6m) was deployed to his left in a slightly more advanced role.
Above: Wolves’ average position chart against Aston Villa, with Adam Armstrong (No. 9) and Mateus Mane (No. 36)
ROGERS BLANKS AGAIN
Morgan Rogers (£7.7m) was knocked out for the eighth time in 11 games on Friday, despite scoring a match-high four shots at Molineux.
The problem for Rogers, however, is not the number of attempts he makes – no player in any position has produced more shots since Gameweek 18 – but rather the quality.
Only one of Rogers’ last 32 goal attempts was a ‘big chance’ for Opta.
So his expected goals number (xG) per shot in that period is just 0.07.
Above: Morgan Rogers’ xG shotmap in Gameweeks 18-28
It’s not just a Rogers problem though, as the goals have dried up for Villa too.
Unai Emery’s side have now scored just five times in their last eight Premier League games, with their attacking play often slow and predictable.
“Disappointing. We didn’t do nearly enough to create chances and score goals. We controlled the game in parts, it wasn’t all doom and gloom. But we didn’t create enough chances.” – Morgan Rogers
It is a worrying loss of form for Villa, caused by injuries Boubacar camera (£4.9 million), Youri Tielemans (£5.9 million) and John McGinn (£5.4 million). The underperforming Ollie Watkins (£8.6 million) has been particularly poor recently, and many would like to see that Tammie Abraham (£6.0 million) are given a chance from the start.
Emery linked the forwards for a short spell on Friday, but it will likely be one or the other starting in midweek.
“Keep moving forward. Work hard and always look up. He will definitely score goals again.” – Unai Emery on Ollie Watkins
Villa could drop to fourth this weekend after taking just nine points from their last eight Premier League games.
Next: European hopefuls Chelsea (h) and Manchester United (a).
Tyrone Mings (£4.3m), meanwhile, was dropped to the bench against Wolves after picking up a “minus”.
“The only one [with an issue] is Tyrone Mings because he has a negative, but he is on the bench. – Unai Emery on Tyrone Mings
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