
The Black Country derby takes place on Saturday night as Wolves look to stop their three match losing streak against Champions League chasing Aston Villa. Sitting one point behind Leicester before round 24, Vitor Pereira's Premier League dream could soon become a nightmare - especially if their fierce rivals pinch all three points.
Vitor Pereira made it very clear his dream was to always manage in the Premier League. And having won their first two matches before drawing away to Spurs, the Portuguese head coach's appointment was looking solid. Yet four consecutive Premier League defeats on the bounce has seen his side return to the relegation zone.
Three of those defeats saw his side concede three goals - and having only scored two goals within those matches, the pressure is on before they are soon cut adrift from the rest of the pack.
In stark contrast, Aston Villa secured a place in the Champions League round of 16 this week, and head to the Molineux full of confidence. Their only two defeats in their last ten matches came in that competition against Monaco as well as high-flying Newcastle back in the league.
Although fewer days to recover, this isn't Unai Emery's first rodeo and he'll know how to prep his team ready to feast on a wounded animal on Saturday evening.
Last year Aston Villa produced a 2-0 victory over their rivals, before beating them 3-1 in round five earlier in the campaign. As Villa have began to grow in the Premier League, so has the gap between them and Wolves.
Yet the hosts can hold on to the fact they have a solid record at Molineux against them. Aston Villa have only won one of their last five trips, which was a 1-0 win back in 2020 thanks to a 92nd minute strike from Trezeguet.
But perhaps we can take that with a pinch of salt due to the sizable steps Villa have been taking in recent years. There's less pressure on Emery's side and that might be key in this tense tussle with Wolves struggling to keep a clean sheet, let alone pick up any points.
While Aston Villa might be a little leggy after their midweek Champions League heroics, Wolves are suffering and without Joao Gomes in the middle, they could be cut apart once more.
It's not been a good period for Wolves who have only managed to beat Bristol City in the FA Cup this year. They battled hard against Nottingham Forest but were caught on the break on several occasions, while Newcastle and Chelsea didn't need to get out of second gear.
There was hope when Arsenal went down to 10 men last weekend but Wolves couldn't prosper, who themselves finished with ten after Joao Gomes picked up two yellow cards.
And to make matters worse, Jorgen Strand Larsen was substituted in the first half after picking up a knock. There's plenty against Wolves, which is why Aston Villa look good value.
The visitors may no longer have Jhon Duran after his sale to Al Nassr, and their away record is nothing to shout about, but there's too much quality to see Emery's side struggle at Molineux - derby or not.
They've won the last two clashes and after their Champions League qualification, a spring will be in their step ahead of this important Premier League fixture.
With that in mind, bet365 are offering 11/10 for Aston Villa to pile on the misery, and it's a price worth taking. Good luck if you're following.
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