Aston Villa Vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Match Preview – Carabao Cup – Villa Park
Contributed by Korben O’Brien – Join The Team
LAST TIME OUT
Manchester City round out comfortable winners over Aston Villa at the Etihad on Saturday putting three past Dean Smith’s side without reply.
Raheem Sterling caught Villa’s defence napping straight from the second half kickoff to make it 1-0. This came after a very solid & copetitive first half display.
Kevin De Bruyne initiated City’s second swinging in from the left side as David Silva was adjudged to have flicked on into the net.
De Bruyne was eventually credited with the goal, but more VAR talking points will arise after Sterling’s involvement in it with the England attacker in an offside position and seemingly in Tom Heaton’s eyeline as the ball drifted goalwards.
Tom Heaton – “We’ll take positives from that”
Tom Heaton reflected that there were many positives to take from different aspects of the performance against Man City.
Heaton, ever the professional, spoke of his disappointment at losing the game at the Ethiad Stadium.
But coming up against the champions, he pinpointed positive vibes at the general start to the season for Villa.
“It’s been a rock-solid start, a good foundation.
We’ve been unlucky not to come away with points in some games.”
WOLVES PREDICTIONS
Korben’s Prediction:
“My prediction for Wednesday’s game is that it will be a tough game against a very good Wolves side, but I think with the quality of our squad we will be in the hat for the Quarter finals of the Carabao Cup.”
Score Prediction:Aston Villa 2-1 Wolves – with Davis and Hourihane scoring for Villa.
VillaUnderground.com Prediction (By Dan Rogers)
“This round of the cup represents a great opportunity to take a stride closer to silverware. Whilst the early rounds are mickey mouse, a tie against local opposition in the form of Wolves brings added interest in front of a sell out Villa Park.
Both sides have had mixed starts to the season, with the visitors now balancing Europa League commitments. Wolves are a decent outfit, but which isn’t ticking as slickly as it did upon ascending from the Championship and intially in the top flight.
Villa might not have bounded back to the Premier League with equal panache, but Smith has built a dangerous, combatitive and competitive side. Villa ran out losers at Man City, but not before impressing for long spells. Equally, we have shown a ruthless, clinical edge, thrashing Norwich away and breaking Brighton’s hearts at the death.
Whilst this could be a rollercoaster, I expect Villa to wind up winners at VP.
Score Prediction: 3-2 to Villa.
Key Facts
- Villa face Wolves for the first time at Villa Park since March 2018 where Villa run out 4-1 Winners
- Aston Villa last 6 – LWWDWL
- Wolves last 6 – DWDWWW
- Aston Villa have progressed from each of their last four meetings in domestic cup competitions with Wolves since Wolves eliminated them from the FA Cup Fifth round in 1964-65.
- Villa haven’t made the quarter finals of the EFL Cup since 2012.
- Villa beat Crewe and Brighton to reach this tie against Wolves.
- Wolves are on an 8 game unbeaton streak.
- Whilst a big tie, changes/rotation is expected amongst both squads.