Wolves 0-1 Aston Villa: Player Ratings as Villans Grab Late Winner From the Spot

Aston Villa grabbed a late winner against local rivals Wolves with Anwar El Ghazi’s penalty securing a 1-0 win as both sides finished the game with ten men.

A turgid first half never really looked like sparking into life, with Leander Dendoncker's effort on the stroke of half-time the only real chance of note.

Wolves nearly opened the scoring in the second half after Daniel Podence had slipped Fabio Silva through, though the youngster could only fire his effort against the foot of the post.

Dean Smith's side were reduced to ten men after Luiz saw red with five minutes remaining after raising his elbow in an aerial clash with Podence, but they grabbed a late winner after John McGinn was hauled down in the area and El Ghazi converted from the spot.

The home side also finished the contest with ten men following Joao Moutinho's late sending off, summing up a miserable afternoon for Nuno Espirito Santo's men.

Now let's get to those Wolves and Villa player ratings.

WOLVES

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Rui Patricio (GK) - 6/10 - Completely redundant until he had to pick the ball out of his net.

Nelson Semedo (RB) - 5/10 - Offered support on the Wolves right but was caused trouble by the Vila widemen when asked to complete his defensive duties.

Romain Saiss (CB) - 7/10 -A surprise inclusion in the starting XI ahead of Willy Boly. Looked composed in possession and comfortable playing the ball into midfield. Good return to first-team duties.

Conor Coady (CB) - 7/10 - Threw his body in the way of everything and showed good positional awareness to cut out any danger from the wide areas.

Marcal (LB) - 6/10 - Not as much of an attacking threat as Semedo. Stifled Bertrand Traore with the Villa man growing frustrated and switching sides where he had a little more joy against Semedo.

2. Midfielders

Leander Dendoncker (CM) - 7/10 - Given the task of sitting slightly deeper than normal and Wolves missed his late runs into the box at times. As soon as the shackles were released he looked much more threatening and played very well.

Joao Moutinho (CM) - 6/10 - The home side always looked a threat from set pieces thanks to his wand of a right foot. Swept up in midfield and kept things ticking over. Let himself down with a late sending off.

Daniel Podence (AM) - 8/10 - Asked to play in a more advanced midfield position rather than as a wide forward. Looked menacing whenever he was on the ball, popping up in pockets of space and showing quality footwork when in possession. The best player on the pitch.

3. Forwards

Adama Traore (RW) - 5/10 - Another disappointing performance from a player who has found it tough to find consistency this season. Showed flashes of his ability but often crowded out as he drifted inside - needs to stay out wide to perform to his best.

Fabio Silva (ST) - 6/10 - The youngster's first Premier League start for Wolves. Took no time at all settling into his role as the focal point of the attack, showing a range of skills including clever movement and the ability to challenge in the air. Unlucky not to grab a goal.

Pedro Neto (LW) - 7/10 - An energetic display full of neat touches and darting runs. Lined up well with his teammates and always looked like creating something.

4. Substitutes

Ruben Neves (CM) - 6/10

ASTON VILLA

5. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Emiliano Martinez (GK) - 7/10 – Produced a smart save from Dendoncker in the first half and denied the Belgian again in the second.

Matty Cash (RB) - 6/10 – Struggled to contain Neto when dragged into the wide areas but covered well when Wolves started throwing crosses into the box. Barely given a chance to stride forward in the first half but looked much more threatening in the second.

Ezri Konsa (CB) - 7/10 – A man mountain at the heart of the Villa backline. Swept up behind Tyrone Mings whenever it was needed and comfortable in possession.

Tyrone Mings (CB) - 7/10 – Coped well with the threat caused by the home side and didn't seem to lose an aerial challenge all afternoon.

Matt Targett (LB) - 5/10 – Similar to Cash, struggled against Wolves' livewire wingers. Was given very few opportunities to support the attack.

6. Midfielders

John McGinn (CM) - 6/10 – Battled superbly all afternoon but didn't show the quality we've seen time and time again when the chance presented itself. Still, a good performance in central midfield.

Douglas Luiz (CM) - 6/10 – Partnered McGinn well in midfield and was equally as combative as the Scotsman. Showed the class that has seen him linked with a move back to Manchester City whenever he was given time on the ball, but let himself down with his late dismissal.

Jacob Ramsey (CM) - 4/10 - Another player handed his first Premier League start for his respective club. Plenty of running but in truth he looked a little overawed by the occasion. Didn't really impact proceedings.

7. Forwards

Bertrand Traore (RW) - 5/10 – Much like his namesake, produced a moment of magic to almost unlock the Wolves defence in the first half, but then let himself down by either overplaying or being unable to produce a simple first touch.

Ollie Watkins (ST) - 4/10 – Found himself isolated in the first half and couldn't involve himself in the play whenever Jack Grealish and Bertrand Traore looked to attack. Looked a little more lively in the second half but an afternoon to forget on the whole.

Jack Grealish (LW) - 6/10 – A livewire all afternoon and a menace for opposition defenders. Always looking to get on the ball and make things happen, just couldn't find a way through a rigid Wolves backline.

8. Substitutes

Anwar El Ghazi (RW) - 7/10

Marvelous Nakamba (CM) - N/A