Wolves claim the bragging rights in West Midlands Derby | Five things we learned

A dominant first-half display earned Wolverhampton Wanderers a deserved 2-1 derby win against Aston Villa, boosting their chances of playing in Europe next season. So let’s take a look at five things we learnt from this West Midlands derby.

1. Villa’s defensive woes continue

Aston Villa have taken just four points from a possible 39 against teams above them in the league this season and this is mainly because of their defensive fragilities.

Since Gerrard’s appointment, the Villans have improved, but have remained shaky at the back. Throughout this contest, the Wolves frontline, which consisted of Fabio Silva, Daniel Podence and Francisco Trincão, ran riot.

In the build-up to Jonny’s goal, there were multiple defensive errors from Gerrard’s men. John McGinn slipped to allow Joao Moutinho to advance forward and Ezri Konsa slipped when trying to block a pass from Podence.

Following some chaotic defending from McGinn and Lucas Digne, the ball eventually found its way to Jonny, who rifled the ball into the top corner from 12 yards. Minutes later and Bruno Lage’s men threatened again. England international Tyrone Mings was robbed of possession by Silva, but the teenager couldn’t find the back of the net.

The hosts grabbed a second just before the break and this was yet another avoidable goal from Villa’s perspective. Brazilian fullback Marcal wasn’t closed down quickly enough and he delivered an inviting cross deep into the box. After some pressure from Trincão, Ashley Young headed the ball into his own net.

The visitors were better in the second half and did grab a goal late on, however, the game should have been beyond reach before that point, with Silva and Leander Dendoncker both missing clear-cut opportunities. Villa cannot afford to be as open in the coming weeks with Gerrard’s men facing Spurs and Leicester City in their next two games.

2. Man of the match Jonny on target for the second game in a row

Jonny Castro Otto has recently made his comeback from a knee injury, which kept him out for ten months. The Spaniard had been in involved in full training since January but was yet to feature in a Premier League game.

Injuries to Nelson Semedo and Ki-Jana Hoever have forced Jonny to be thrown immediately back into the starting lineup. However, the fullback has impressed and got himself on the scoresheet in consecutive games having found the back of the net in the 3-2 defeat to Leeds before the international break.

The 28-year-old had not scored a goal for Wolves in 13 matches and is not known for his attacking qualities, however, he has now scored two in his last two games. Against Leeds it was an accurate strike, which found the back of the net, but in this match, it was a thunderous strike that nestled into the top corner.

Under Lage, Jonny has found himself in much more advanced positions compared to Nuno Espirito Santo’s reign where he rarely got himself in attacking positions and this may be the reason for his sudden increase in attacking output.

Throughout the game, the defender was extremely composed and dealt with all of Villa’s attacks, which came down his side. Consequently, the away side switched the ball to the opposite flank to test Marcal, who isn’t as strong defensively. Jonny almost got himself an assist when his long ball upfield found Silva, who saw his effort saved by Martinez. A vintage performance from Jonny, who was deservedly picked as man of the match.

3. Fabio Silva on form in Jimenez’s absence

Fabio Silva is yet to score in the Premier League this season, however, this is mainly because of his lack of game time. With first-choice striker Raul Jimenez suspended, Silva is set for a run in Lage’s side.

In the derby, Silva put in a complete performance and has been heavily praised by fans after causing problems for Villa centre-backs Konsa and Mings all afternoon. The only thing missing from the striker’s performance was a goal.

The teenager should have put Wolves 2-0 up in the first half after he latched on to Jonny’s long ball. One on one with the keeper, the Portuguese striker was unable to find the back of the net with Martinez coming out on top on this occasion.

During the second half, the 19-year-old tested the Villa keeper again. Silva unleashed a shot, which was destined for the top corner, but Martinez made a finger-tip save to keep the visitors in the game. Although the striker’s goal drought was extended in this game, there were many encouraging signs, which show that Silva is getting better with every game and is benefiting from increased game time.

Throughout the contest, Silva found pockets of space and linked up well with Podence and Trincao, who started the game on either side of him. Silva, who signed for a club-record £35.6m, was a constant threat in behind the Villa backline, which made the visitors drop deeper. He worked tirelessly all afternoon and his impressive work rate on and off the ball will likely earn him a start against Newcastle United.

4. Dendoncker’s performance goes under the radar

Leander Dendoncker put in a tremendous performance in the West Midlands Derby, however, his performance may have gone under the radar due to the Wolves frontline grabbing all of the headlines. Dendoncker, who has come under criticism at times this season, ran the show in the midfield alongside the experienced Moutinho.

Bruno Lage’s side had full control of the game and this was mainly because of Wolves winning the midfield battle. The Belgium international won possession for his side on countless occasions and made many crucial interceptions and blocks.

In addition to his disciplined defensive performance, he also ventured forward into more advanced positions causing the vulnerable Villa backline further problems. The 26-year-old should have got himself a goal when he was found by Podence late in the first half.

The winger saw Dendoncker’s overlapping run and slipped him in behind the Villa defence, but on his weaker left foot, the midfielder was unable to hit the target. Minutes later and there was another goal-scoring opportunity for Dendoncker, who was free in acres of space on the edge of the box. However, this time it was his own teammate who denied him, as Trincao diverted the ball away from him with a loose touch.

With Ruben Neves sidelined, many expected Wolves to lose the midfield battle, but this wasn’t the case. Phillipe Coutinho, who has settled in with ease at his new club, had no impact on the game at all and this was because of Dendoncker almost man-marking the Brazilian playmaker. Buendia was introduced in the second half, but like Coutinho, he had little impact on the game and this was because of Dendoncker’s brilliant defensive display.

5. Wolves have it all to play for unlike their rivals

This defeat means Villa now have nothing to play for in their remaining eight league matches. They are now 13 points behind Wolves, who have boosted their European hopes with this victory. The hosts have now piled the pressure on those above them in the race for Europe, while Villa drop below ninth-placed Leicester City.

After the game, Villa boss Steven Gerrard warned his players that they are playing for their futures and admitted that he was unhappy with the way his side performed in the first half.

“We’re looking like a 45-minute team and that’s on me – we gifted Wolves two goals. I’ve got to fix it and I will fix it.The players in the building have to help me fix it now. If not, we will get players in who will help me fix it.”

 

Meanwhile, Bruno Lage was happy with the performance from his team but believes that they need to learn to kill games off.

“I’m happy because we won. We played the way we wanted to play. The game plan was perfect.We need that mentality to kill the game, score the third goal and not to give hope to the opponent.”

Lage’s men had lost four of their previous six Premier League games before their win in the West Midlands Derby, but this victory has resurrected their European hopes. Wolves are just two points off West Ham, who are in fifth, but both Manchester United and Spurs have a game in hand.

Lage’s side are on course to secure European football for the second time in four years and if they finish the season in seventh they will qualify for next season’s Europa Conference League as long as Crystal Palace do not win the FA Cup.

If the Eagles do go on to lift the trophy, then they will play in Europe and Wolves will miss out if they finish seventh in the league.

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