I don’t know why any fans on either side downplay this fixture.
Even Dean Smith was at it prior to the League Cup game the other week.
This is a local derby and from what I’ve seen and read in recent years, one which both sets of supporters will be desperate to win.
I’ve got a lot of respect for the job Smith has done there and they’ve acquired a decent team containing some very useful players.
But being the top dog in the West Midlands and finishing above them is important to me, so I will love it if we beat them tomorrow. Love it.
I hope everyone inside Molineux – gold and black and claret and blue – feels the same and it’s a rip-roaring atmosphere.
Aston Villa
Every time I’ve seen them play I’ve been impressed with their performance levels.
Like Wolves, they gave Man City the runaround at times and could easily have been ahead before eventually going down to a 3 goal defeat.
They came even closer to upsetting Liverpool last time out but again couldn’t quite get over the line.
That’s been the story in a lot of games this season and would be my chief concern if I were a Villa fan, not getting it done in crunch moments, which is key in a Premier League with such thin margins.
For all their summer recruitment their three most important players are the ones that guided them to promotion – McGinn, Grealish and Mings.
That midfield pair, in particular, give them so much and I see that being the key area of the pitch tomorrow. Restrict their influence and I think we win. Anything else spells danger.
They’ve lost 4 of their 5 away games to date, but have already played Spurs, Arsenal and Man City in that run and were competitive in all those fixtures.
The away end
Some comments lifted from the pre-match thread on the Villa Talk Forum.
Not necessarily a must-win but a must-not-lose. Considering how much effort we put into the last two to come away with no points we really can’t afford a third loss on the bounce. Wolves are a decent side but have dropped points at home to the likes of Burnley and Southampton so we are very capable of getting at least a point there. It is also three days after they play in the Europa, so that will work to our advantage. We need Jack back for this one as yesterday we had no one to carry the ball and kept inviting pressure on ourselves. Obviously best thing would be a win but I’d take a draw at Molineux as long as we beat Newcastle at home on the 25th. We’ve got Man U, Chelsea and Lesta after that so it’s important we take some points before that tough trio of matches.
Need Grealish back for this. Given Neves and Moutinho aren’t the quickest I can see him and McGinn getting some joy in the pocket of space behind them and running at their back 3. Important not to lose otherwise lots of pressure will be heaped on Newcastle at home which is looking very much like a banana skin fixture to me. I’ll go for 1-1. Think Wolves have already drawn three home games by that scoreline and generally that seems the right sort of score for this game.
Can’t wait for Sunday. I really hope we get the three points to get us back on track. Three draws for them in the league since their win at city, their form has improved. But then we are also improving. It promises to be a good game, fingers crossed we win it.
They have real quality up front. A talented but slow midfield, with consistent wide players plus all or nothing Traore. We can get at the defence. If we play well, we’ll take points. Nasty feeling actually. Feels like we’ve played OK recently a lot and not got the points we probably deserve. Feel like a bad performance could pop up soon.
Desperately need to win this game. not just for our league position. This our new Blue nose game. Bragging rights are needed. I live in Telford where every one is a Dingle, Utd or Liverpool fan. Come on Villa lets have another 4:1 please.
Wolves
Nuno has picked the same side for the last two league matches and all being well, I can’t see it changing tomorrow.
Like most others I think this 343 is good for us because we get our best XI players on the pitch and we can cause significantly more damage higher up the pitch.
I’m confident in any game at home if you get the ball to Jota, Jimenez and Traore consistently enough things will happen.
There’s a Neves goal incoming too if he continues to hover around the edge of the area as he has done in recent weeks.
The two areas I worry are McGinn and Grealish getting around our midfield and set pieces where I think we could be vulnerable.
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The Poll
Predictions
Well done to DancesWithWolves, Richard Coe, StaffordWolves92, Lord Twix, Iceni Wolf, Wolvo Dave, Paddy, v, London Wolves Loyal, Border Wolf, Sir Belvedere and last but not least, me, for getting their prediction spot on against Arsenal. You can check out the full Prediction League table here.
If you’d like to join in this week simply leave your prediction in the comment section below using the boxes provided.
That’s where you’ll also find my best guess for this one.
Up The Wolves!
BIG game, don’t care what anyone says. Play like we’ve done in the last two games and we’ll win.
I’m nervous but backing the lads to deliver.
I think they’re a decent enough side, but as a unit and man-for-man we’re better so it’s about hitting a performance level.
Jota could be the key man for us. There were flashes of his best form against Arsenal and a player of his quality will start doing damage eventually. Please, please, please let it be tomorrow.
P.s. thanks to everyone for the kind birthday wishes yesterday. You’ll be glad to know I still bring down the average age of this comment section considerably 😀
You might lower the average age of bloggers but…
I was thirty five AGAIN a couple of months ago, so you are definitely catching me up.
We can turn the Vile over, no problem. We just get better and better.
NBB opens at eleven on the dot if anybody wants to buy me a pint, form a orderly queue.
Dr nuno will be working his magic yet again for this one .
who knows what the formation will be but one thing is now a certainty we can move about in games with fluidity and confidence 3-4-3…3-5-2 all of the players on that pitch know what to do and when to do it just like the great teams do.
The training pitch is where games are won and we are now up there with the best.
I believe we will start 3-5-2 and end up 3-4-3 to finish them off.
Its wonderful to watch , to see our side switch about so easily to combat any threat or simply decide its time to issue the coup de grâce.
Veela have fight in them but thats all they have.
Their skill levels and tactical nous are no where near where we are at.
Once the fight has been knocked out of them they collapse as they have shown already and that is when dr nuno will strike.
i expect yet again a very cagey first half with goals coming late on yet again so hold your nerve everyone.
A comprehensive win will come about only after we have worn the enemy down then adama will rip them apart .
raul hat trick and jota double.
Just hope we start the game the way we did against Arsenal on the front foot from the off and a win is going to happen.
Jack (come anywhere near me and I’ll fall over like I’ve been tasered) Grealish is only 50-50 to play apparently.
I’m not sure whether this is a good or bad thing.
Given that for all his overacting, and joke haircut, he’s a decent player, we’ve got a better chance of getting three points if he’s not playing but, if we do, they’ve got a ready made excuse.
I was hugely encouraged by our performance on Thursday and, with the addition of one Diogo Jota, our attacking options are vastly improved.
I predict a close game, but a win.
2-1 will do for me.
From a flaky internet connection in Egypt – hope it gets through
COMBs!
2 -1 seems to be the preferred score and who am I to disagree? The way we seem to have rediscovered our mojo is making watching us a real pleasure, even if the finishing has been wanting. Sooner or later somebody is going to be on the receiving end – of a proper thrashing – would’nt it be lovely if it was Villa tomorrow?
Living here in Norwich and watching them on Sky last night – what a shame we are not playing them now . Leicester’s nine would pale into insignificance to what we could achieve against them!
Cautiously optimistic about this one. Although common sense dictates a cagey first half, I believe that we are due for an early goal——- which is any goal in the first half!!! If that happens we will catch them on the break in the second half and win comfortably.
Time we scored some goals and put someone to the cleaners.
In all my years working in the West Midlands, back in the olden days, I never had Villa fans as co workers, so consequently I didn’t grow up hating and loathing and despising and deriding them like wot I do to the shit.
And I don’t think Villa fans leave Birmingham, I’ve never met one in thirty years over here.
Therefore to me, this is just another Premier League fixture to comfortably win, on our way to more glory this season.
I will save my vitriol for someone more deserving, like a crap ref or VAR, and quite confidently predict a 5-1 thrashing.
Thomas belated birthday wishes for yesterday
Vile have always been the biggest game for me as brother is a vile supporter
Was impressed with the display on Thursday as thought they were no mugs and played well
Agree and hope that Jota will have a big game and is direct which is his strength
2-1 seems to be a lot of predictions so will go for
I feel it is time for a win. The 3-4-3 formation is certainly working well, and although we would like to see Big Willy back, the back three have not been as weakened as most of us suspected. I am opting for a 2-0 win this time. I just hope we can play well throughout the whole game, not just fire up for the second half.
We definately need to start putting our chances away; we might have been good recently at coming from behind but that situation is always going to make it a nervy game.
Looking back over this Premier season to date, 2 is the most we’ve managed to put past the opposition. Time to get our boys shooting (and scoring ) for fun again – bring on the Jota and Jimmy show again.
I think if jota is at his best we win, pace and trickery down both sides and Raul scoring for fun we can really do some damage. They have some good players though Heaton is a good keeper mings seems to get better and better. If they get relegated I’d definitely be interested in Mings but for me the man that makes them tick is mcginn I think he’s quality. However I expect us to be to strong for them.
Mings is overrated; couldn’t even get in the Bournemouth team.
Without Big Wily our defence is more suspect and we miss his presence for our corners. Hope we stuff them but I’m going for yet another 1-1.
I’d take a draw but absolutely love us to win it. Neves was brilliant the other night and it’s no coincidence that when he plays well so do the team. If we play well we’ll win so I’m hoping for a good performance. Give the ball to Raul and he will score! He’s scoring goals and and playing well so we’ve got to create for him. Come on wolves!
I’m currently sat in front of a roaring log burner watching my car & paddock slowly disappear under a thick blanket of white stuff!!
Has to be a win tomorrow. I’ve nothing whatsoever against Villa, I respect them as a club. The fans however are a different matter – I hate them! They think as they won a trophy 40 odd years ago it’s their dog given right to be in the Champions League!
Converted Tractor Boy says 3-0 to Wolves but I’ll go my old stand by.
Raul & Jota to score.
COYW
What is the record for most draws in a season?
Our record is probable the season when Glen Hoddle was manager, many years ago!
The west mids is ours probably be losing at half time and destroy them in injury time
With Traore picking up a “contact Knock” on Thursday, I think Vinagre should start and Otto play behind Doc, tire them out in the first half and then bring Traore on as the impact sub to rip them a new orifice.
I think we are like Man U of old, slow start to the season and then grow in the latter stages, the difference for us this year is we are into game 22, so we are hitting form.
Let’s go into the International break on a high, so with that in mind:-
Wolves 3
Veela (Whoop Whoop) 0
Having watched us control a second game in a row against Bratislava, I’m fairly confident that our performances are on an upward trend. I’d expect that to continue tomorrow.
I worry whether we will be given the time on the ball to use our technical players to best effect. If villa play with high energy I can see them picking up quite a few second balls and gaining a foothold in the game.
If we can play high up the pitch and with Jota coming back from a midweek rest, I’d bet on us scoring enough to win it.
I am not going to make the same mistake again by letting my heart rule my head. Last week I really fancied a 1-1 draw but because Arsenal were at home I went for a 2-1 home win! So this week I again fancy a 1-1 draw but because we are at home I have a sneaky feeling for a Wolves win! So I am going for a…
We should win this as long as we play like last Thursday
Need a quick start and all should be ok
Last Thursday are useless. They changed their name to Sheffield Wednesday.
Time for that win!
We’ve looked good when we’ve started on the front foot in matches so I don’t think we should show them too much respect tomorrow. I know Villa think our midfield looks slow but we make up for it elsewhere. Traore and Jota can be devastatingly fast The former player syndrome might hurt Villa and Traore will be out to show them what they missed when he moved on,
For all their expenditure Villa still rely heavily on the trio that got them promoted, whereas we recruited well after promotion. I can hardly think of them as a proper villa, they’re more like a three bedroom semi. If we can contain Jack the Haircut, or if he’s unfit, I can see us putting three goals away. I’ll refine that prediction to give them a consolation goal, probable a triple deflection eventually going in off the referee’s arse. 3-1 it is.
Performances have been pretty good of late and our heroes know the importance of this one to we fans. The game’s importance to us is reflected in its importance to our team, because we are one pack, all pulling in the same direction. Working together for the good of us all. Like the Borg collective.
Therefore, I think by 3.45 tomoz, our hearts will swell with pride as our golden boys put this bunch of pretenders to the sword with style and panache. Rapier thrusts down the flanks will pierce their flimsy defence with ease with Raul on hand to supply his customary coup-de-grace with his customary aplomb.
So away with you, Vile Villains. Back to the dark holes from whence you emerged. Come back and try again when you have a hope in hell of success.
Rolls off the tongue like rolls off the tongue.
The man’s a bard.
Need to get out of the blocks quickly . Get an early goal then pile on the pressure. Without greasy Grelish they are a one trick pony . We should have far too much pace for their defence plus Raul is on fire at the moment.
All the pundits, with the exception of Savage, have us down for winning this one and I agree……COYW
Some good things have come out of the Europa league in respect to the interchange ability of our team .before if Neves was out we would struggle , or when Jota was missing , it was tough to get forward , although as Nuno puts it , we have a short squad , we are able to fill in quite successfully all over the pitch and still keep our style. So well done to the entire team and coaching staff for that achievement
Another thing that’s changed is that I never used to mind Aston Villa but all you ever hear is their supporters and ex players sticking the boot into us and constantly bad mouthing us . So fuck em
Hope it all goes wrong and they relegated . And that play off final with derby was the worst one I’ve ever watched
If Bolly was playing I would say that we would brush these aside but these showers of shit are always lucky
Clearly Wolves are on a much higher level than the Vile but whether we are able to demonstrate that undoubted superiority with a thumping win is another matter given our European exertions. The fact that they scraped home against our youth team recently means nothing.
I’m going for a narrow 2-1 win although if greaseball Grealish is out the margin of victory could be more.
Mind the gap!
OODCL
I think there has been some signs in the last two games of us being more creative and threatening to score goals, probably ties in with Neves playing further forward. We failed to capitalise of some lovely passes from him on Thursday with pretty average final balls.
Villa will be a great but i back us to shade a tight game.
Following the performance on Thursday this lot will not have enough to cope with us
Jota hatrick
I’ll never forget the satisfaction of handing that dinosaur Bruce a footballing lesson when we beat them 2-0 in the Champ. The Mol was rocking that night.
Amazing how since we’ve gone back to 343 we’ve completely rediscovered ourselves going forward. We’re now playing on the front foot and taking the game to the oppo. Ok, we’re still not creating enough clearcut chances or being clinical, but we’re dictating things. We’re the ones in control and imposing our game on proceedings. We’re pinning teams in their own half and not giving them any let-up. Start like that tomorrow and we’ll win. A joy to watch Neves getting back to his best and pulling the strings alongside Moutinho.
I’d love it if we beat Villa, love it. The rubbish Bruce, Wyness & Xia came out with a couple of years ago was completely unprofessional. Villa fans jump on it and they’re the ones who think we’re obsessed! See Smith added in a sly remark about our European involvement – pathetic!
Only derby we got. Hope the atmosphere will be great!
We’re slowly improving without pulling up any trees. I don’t worry about the pace in our midfield as with the talent those two Portuguese gods have, it means the ball will do the talking and not the legs.
If Jota is back and our back three gell then we should have enough for this one.
I still think we’re performing well below our potential but that’s only because I think we’re on the cusp of something quite special.
I liked the way Nuno used Jonny against Arsenal,making a 4 man attack,and giving us a more balanced threat.Surely these last few performances must produce a win.
Really looking forward to tomorrow’s visit of Aston Villa.
Last time at the Mol, was a memorable shellacking 2-0 when Steve Bruce looked bewildered but was gracious in defeat and Jota slalomed his way past John Terry to set up Bonatini, Bonatini, Bonatini… as Mikey Burrows put it.
Both teams have move forward since then…. with some spicey additions on both sides….
Hard to call this one although I believe it will be closer than I would like.
In an unworthy attempt to unsettle us , Veela will unveil a time machine in the away end. They will attempt to reverse us to 1982. Apparently, summat’ happened then. For me it was 10 Benson and Hedges for 32p. Fuck knows what it was for them. The evil Vile plot won’t work. Greasy will fall down with more credence than a giant redwood in a hurricane. His silly hair flapping around like some sort of Osprey nest competing for food. Well Greasy the only thing you will be competing for is ZERO points and you can stick 1982 up your silly brunmie arse. Because the Nuno force is gonna sweep you away like roadsweeper in Sutton Coldfield. Nobody with any semblance of intelligence has a haircut like that. Not even that bloke out of The Flock of Seagulls (ironically 1982) . So. With all that sorted out it can only mean one thing. WWFC 3 Veela 1. Just gotta a feeling on this one. We owe the pretend Brummies. We will deliver.
Cheesy,
When’s you cat gonna mek an appearance?
Looking forward to tomorrow although I think a West Midlands derby is different for me. I have lived and worked in the East Midlands all my life so don’t really dislike any team from the West. In fact the only Midlands club I can’t stand is – well, I won’t even mention their name on here. I don’t live near or work with any Villa, Brum, or Albion fans so apologies for not slating them. I do though love Wolves and love the journey from East to West midlands. I can only see a Wolves win as you just don’t see us losing very often these days. We are moving house and I was packing up some football programmes the other day. I only get one from the games that me and Sue go to and I had to look twice at the ones from Peterborough, Notts County, Crawley, Northampton ( Coventry ), MK Dons, Stevenage, Rotherham, Leyton Orient to name but a few. You look where they all are and then you look at us – I really don’t want to get off the rollercoaster that is Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club.
Well Wolves v Villa is not an intense local derby. Probably given a bit more spice through silly comments about our players from the Villa camp in the last couple of years. Ask any Villa or Wolves fan and that is about it. It will never have the intensity of us v WBA. Or for some reason over the last 20/30 years Wolves v Blues.
Still haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you mate.
See you in May at the ‘do’ ?
Wolves 4
Villa 1
Right back atcha.
A big thanks to you Steve for your unswerving commitment whilst serving in the British Army…. wear your medals with pride tomorrow mate, Remembrance Sunday.
An honour to know you …
Lilian and Mike x
I honorably second that, Mike.
If it wasn’t for Brompto and his comrades, down through history, we would all be speaking German.
Thanks a million, Steve, my friend.
Doch at right back for me. Atcha needs to work more on his defending but he goes right atcha when overlapping Traore.
I expect Grealish to get sent off for something- just being Grealish may be enough. And Traore to excel again and provide inch perfect crosses for Jiminez. And Jota to slalom through at least twice to score.
Will edge this
Always a nerve tingler against Vile and unfortunately that sums up the way we have played against them at times. Managed to see the game against Slovan and we do look to be on the up now, just hope the team is up for the game as much as we are, three points would move us up where we belong.
Not hard to forecast a tight game. We still struggle to score and keep a clean sheet. Therefore I see only one logical scorecast:
So looking forward to tomorrow’s match. The recent Carabao Cup game has no bearing on this but it would be great to get a measure of revenge. We also need to start moving up the table.
For me, it’s got to be a routine Wolves win.
Watched Leicester v arsenal earlier. and I have been very cynical about them and their 7 extra points v VAR. But today they were very good. Two excellent goals. That said Arsenal were shit
So the high pitch warblers are driving up the M6 to our Golden Palace to sing their one & only song “Veela Veela veela”
I like Dean Smith as a manager as I used to watch Wasel in the wik when Wolves weren’t playing at um, & he’s always had his teams playing football.
Agreed with a comment above re McGinn, Greaseless & Mingy but a villain mate of mine reckons Greaseless won’t play.
I’m sure Nuno & our team will fully appreciate the need for the 12th man to have a result tomorrow.
So come on mi babies mek sure I ain’t gotta pay out anything to the wannabe brummies.
Greasy not Greaseless. Everyone’s got less grease than that slimey excuse for a haircut.
Ped Ant,
whilst you are 100% correct in your second sentence I have to say you are not so accurate in your first!
If something is Greaseless it will very quick seize up.
I rest my case 🙂
Score first!!!!!!
Hit them on the break. 2-0
Control the game but concede a late set piece goal just to keep it interesting
Up to 7th before the break, happy days
Utw
Never have thought playing Villa as a big game until this season. But their assumption of superiority is starting to get to me. Besides I never liked John Terry.
I have a feeling Grealish is slipping back to his injured all the time mode and they’ll be a lesser force as a consequence. In fact I see them slipping into a relegation battle.
As to today’s game I’m reasonably confident of a win if we can add goals to our good form.
Wolves have found a way to avoid my prediction, but I’m feeling much more confident about this fixture. Wolves win, but only narrowly despite dominance.
Wolves come through with a nice win.
Adama has been called up by Spain. Si senor. Well done mate!
There are many reasons why we must win this game. Not only the obvious that we want to beat Villa etc., but a win would move us above Man U and Spurs, and one point behind Arsenal!!
Interesting that Thomas suggests Donk to remain over a Bennett return. Donk does seem to be improving week to week and it does mean we have ball players in every position.
Living the dream every week, but perfection for me would be 3-0 lead at halftime, then Cutrone replaces Raul and scores two wonder goals.
Could this be first game when the last season’s version of Jota and Neves plays alongside this season’s version of Traore? It will happen soon and when it does it will be freakin irresistible.
Actually think Bennett and Saiss will come back in
Dendoncker into midfield in a 3 ( villas strength is in midfield)
Jota and Jiminez up top
Traore comes on after an hour to kill the game
But what do I know ha
Utw
Have a feeling there could be a goal fest this afternoon. Villa are decent, but hoping we can scrape through. Gut says a draw, wouldn’t be surprised at a narrow loss! Toss of a coin .
Just realised that Wolves have EIGHT fixtures in December but only three in the last three weeks of November, absolute madness.
An easy win for the team from the Mol – mind the gap.
Feeling a bit nervous about this one….we have the quality to win it but might be struggling to field a fit fresh side after midweek. Fingers crossed ?
I knew nothing last week. This week I know even less.
Play quick attacking start like we played Arsenal and control the game and we will win 3-0 or more- Only start playing catch up in the last quarter and we will probably draw again
Diogo looks to be getting back into the swing of things so I’m hoping he’ll join Raul on the score sheet this afternoon. COYW
COYW
Zeli ishmail our first 100 mill player ??
Nah we got Traore
Booooom
Utw
That was a 2-1 slaughter. Should have been 4 or 5
Var joining in on the Liverpool love in
We will beat the pool make no mistake
Utw
??? it’s a kinda magic.
One dream,
one soul,
one prize,
two goals
Two wonder goals, is what it is.????