Wolverhampton Wanderers will face off against Aston Villa this Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 19:30 local time, as part of the 24th round of the English Premier League. The match, taking place at Molineux Stadium, is particularly significant for both clubs as they are at opposite ends of the league table.
The Wolves currently sit 18th, occupying one of the relegation spots with 16 points after 23 matches, having won only 4 of those. Their performance has suffered recently, with four consecutive losses marking their struggles, including heavy defeats against Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, and Chelsea. The last time Wolverhampton secured points was with a victory over Manchester United and a draw against Tottenham Hotspur, both significant but overshadowed by their subsequent poor form.
Compounding their troubles, Wolverhampton will be without key players for this match; their second-leading scorer, Jorgen Strand-Larsen, is sidelined with a muscle injury, and Joao Gomes is also out due to accumulated yellow cards. The hope lies on the return of Bubakar Traore, coming back from injury, though he hasn’t played since August. Defensively, Wolverhampton has struggled immensely, conceding 52 goals—an average of over 2 goals per game—making it their worst defensive record since 1933.
Aston Villa, on the other hand, positioned 8th with 37 points, has displayed inconsistency throughout the season. Despite enjoying more success with recent victories over teams near the relegation zone, their overall performance has left fans craving more stability. Villa has struggled to maintain their early campaign form with only two wins from their last six outings, including disappointing draws and losses. Notably, their recent match against league leaders Arsenal saw them come back to earn a draw, providing some optimism going forward.
The injury woes at Villa continue to grow as well, most recently losing central defender Tyrone Mings to injury during their Champions League match against Celtic. Along with Mings, Matt Cash has been ruled out for several weeks following his performance, and with Pau Torres and Ross Barkley continuing their recovery from injuries, Villa's defense is significantly weakened heading to this match.
A key story coming out of Villa is the impending sale of John Duran, the team's top scorer, to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. Duran has netted 12 goals this season but is set to undergo medical examinations before the transfer, leaving Villa hoping for strong performances from Ollie Watkins, who has been influential with four goals and five assists over the past eight matches.
With recent trends showing Wolverhampton's difficulty against teams like Villa, who historically have fared well against them at home, the odds are stacked against the Wolves. They have only managed to win once against Villa at home in their last seven encounters. Yet, Villa's own scoring issues limit their effectiveness; they haven't managed three goals in any match from their last nine fixtures.
The expectations are high for this derby. Both teams, armed with notable firepower and the need for points, are set to engage fiercely. Wolverhampton will be aiming to claw their way out of the relegation zone against Aston Villa during this match. The referee for the day will be Andy Madley, who will look to maintain order amid the intense rivalry.
The pre-match betting odds reveal bettors leaning slightly toward Aston Villa, with Wolverhampton receiving odds for survival, but the hopes for each side vary widely based on current form and the stakes involved.
Fans preparing for the game can catch live action on Setanta Sports or follow text updates through popular sports news sites. The stage is set for what promises to be another thrilling chapter in the Premier League.