Wolves vs Aston Villa: A Midlands Derby of Contrasting Fates

Tonight, Friday, February 27, 2026, Molineux Stadium hosts a West Midlands derby that finds the two rivals at opposite ends of the spectrum. Wolves sit rock bottom of the Premier League with just 10 points from 28 matches, effectively fighting for pride as relegation looms. Conversely, Unai Emery’s Aston Villa occupy 3rd place with 51 points, locked in a fierce battle to secure Champions League football for a second consecutive season.

While the gap in the table is vast (41 points), the "Friday night under the lights" atmosphere at Molineux often levels the playing field. Emery himself has a "Molineux hoodoo" to break, having never won an away game against Wolves in his three and a half years at Villa.

Form Guide: Resilience vs. Recent Stutters

Wolves (L-D-D-L-L): Rob Edwards’ side has shown flashes of progress recently but remains plagued by an inability to finish games. They pulled off a stunning comeback to draw 2-2 with league leaders Arsenal last week, only to follow it up with a demoralizing 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace where they missed a penalty and saw a player sent off. With only one win all season, Wolves are desperate to find a spark.

Aston Villa (D-W-D-L-W): Villa have been remarkably consistent over the season but have hit a slightly "sticky" patch in February. They salvaged a late 1-1 draw against Leeds last weekend and have won just one of their last four league games. However, their away form remains strong; they are unbeaten in seven of their last eight matches on the road, a streak they need to maintain to keep the chasing pack (United and Chelsea) at bay.

 Tactical Key Insights & Team News

1. Selection Crisis for Both Sides:

Both managers are dealing with significant absences. Wolves are without Ladislav Krejci (suspension) and long-term absentee Hee-Chan Hwang (calf). Aston Villa’s midfield engine room is decimated: John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, and Boubacar Kamara are all sidelined with long-term injuries, and Harvey Elliott is a fresh doubt.

2. Defensive Stability vs. Attacking Drought:

Wolves have failed to score in five of their last seven matches, making them the league’s lowest scorers. They will rely on Tolu Arokodare to lead the line and find a way past Emiliano Martínez, who has eight clean sheets this term. Villa will look to exploit Wolves' makeshift defense—likely featuring Toti Gomes or David Moller Wolfe—using the movement of Ollie Watkins (8 goals) and the creative form of Morgan Rogers.

3. The Molineux Factor:

Despite their league position, Wolves have won three of the last four meetings at Molineux. Emery’s struggles at this ground are a psychological factor that Rob Edwards will look to exploit by starting with high intensity to unsettle a Villa side that has looked vulnerable in transition recently.

 Coach Pre-Match Conference Snapshot

Rob Edwards (Wolves): "We showed against Arsenal what we are capable of. The Palace result hurt because of the penalty and the red card, but the spirit is there. This is a derby, and we want to give our fans something to cheer for tonight. We have to be perfect for 90 minutes."

Unai Emery (Aston Villa): "I have never won at Molineux, and I told the players this to show them how difficult this match will be. Wolves are better than their position shows. We must be clinical. We are fighting for the top four, and these are the games where we must show our character."

 Key Players 

• Wolves: Tolu Arokodare. As the focal point of the attack, his ability to hold up the ball and convert the few chances Wolves create will be vital.

• Aston Villa: Morgan Rogers. With 10 goals and 7 assists this season, he is the primary creative engine. His late runs into the box are a nightmare for struggling defenses to track.