Prediction: Aston Villa vs Wolves

Verdict: Aston Villa win

Best odds: 20/21

Bookmaker:

Looking to extend their recent flurry and claim Midlands bragging rights on Wednesday night, Aston Villa will host Wolves.

AstonVilla

Starting with the hosts, while Aston Villa could have opened the 2022/23 campaign amid a real struggle under Steven Gerrard, it looks like they've hit a real milestone either side of the break. world Cup. Continuing to shine since Unai Emery's appointment in October, the Clarets have rocketed up the Premier League table. Moving away from possible relegation, the former Arsenal boss should now have a place in the top half of his agenda. Putting on a stellar display on New Year's Day as they cruised to a 2-0 win at Tottenham, Villa have taken nine points from their last four top-flight encounters. With that purple smudge highlighted by a 3-1 home loss to Manchester United on November 6, Emery's top-flight side should sense an opportunity to score another marker here.

Team News

Suffering from two knocks in the second half against Spurs on New Years Day, Aston Villa are sweating the fitness of John McGinn and Douglas Luiz on Wednesday night.

Still struggling with a thigh injury, Emery's team have already confirmed that Jacob Ramsey will not feature here. Likewise, long-term absentee Diego Carlos remains sidelined.

wolves

As for the visitors, while Wolves might have opened Julen Lopetegui's tenure with a 2-1 win at Everton returning from the World Cup break, they came down to earth the week last. Eventually hit by a 1-0 home loss to Manchester United, the former Spain boss appears to have quite a job to do. Amid a relegation slump in 2023, the Oranges have won just one Premier League victory in their last seven attempts – a run that dates back to October 15. However, while Wolves could be seen as a genuine underdog choice on Wednesday, they will be boosted by a recent eye-catching record against their Midlands rivals. In fact, as well as picking up an action-packed 3-2 win on their last trip to Villa Park in October 2021, the midweek guests picked up back-to-back wins over first-half hopefuls last season.

Team News

Struggling to find clinical advantage this season, Wolves will again be without the attacking trio of Sasa Kalajdzic, Pedro Neto and Chiquinho on Wednesday night.

With a loan move from Spanish giants Atletico Madrid this month, Brazil international Matheus Cunha could be in line to make his Wolves debut at Villa Park.

Key Factors to Consider Including a 3-2 win on the trip to Villa Park last season, Wolves have won back-to-back wins over their Midlands rivals in the 2021/22 campaign. However, opening 2023 with a shock 2-0 win at Tottenham, Wednesday's hosts have collected nine points from their last four Premier League clashes. Wolves have won just one Premier League victory in their last seven attempts - a run that dates back to October 15. Five of Wednesday's last eight meetings between opponents have ended with both teams finding the net. Aston Villa have lost just a pair of their last seven home Premier League clashes.

Conclusion

While Wolves may have had back-to-back Premier League wins against their Midlands rivals last season, a top-flight Aston Villa should smell a chance here. Shocking many on New Years Day as they opened 2023 with a stellar 2-0 away win over Spurs, Emery's new side continued to shine on either side of the World Cup break. Picking up nine points in their previous four top competitions and winning an eye-catching 3-1 game against Manchester United on November 6, Villa are rightly seen as a standout choice here. With Wolves snatching just one Premier League victory in one of their last seven attempts, the relegation scrappers could face a tough test here.

Verdict: Aston Villa win

Best odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: