By 
Where do I start?! Villa inflicted Wolves worst defeat of the season as the league leaders crashed to a 4-1 defeat at Villa Park.
It was an electric Villa Park too. Never has that cliche of the home fans sucking the ball into the net rang so true.
That’s what happened after eight minutes. Robert Snodgrass’ corner was diverted toward the six yard box by a combination of Mile Jedinak and Conor Coady, before Lewis Grabban and Albert Adomah eventually scrambled the ball in.
Villa were on form at both ends too. John Terry did well to clear Matt Doherty’s cross from almost under his own goal.
But after 20 minutes, Wolves reminded us why they’re top of the Championship. Matt Doherty nut-megged Neil Taylor en route to before sliding a perfectly weighted ball through to Jota. The former Porto striker managed to bundle the ball in despite the efforts of Jota and James Chester.
Villa went long periods in the game without seeing the ball. But it’s a testament to Steve Bruce’s that they only managed one clear-cut chance. At times Adomah looked like he was playing at wing-back as he helped so much defensively.
With just under an hour gone, James Chester grabbed his second of the season. Snodgrass, once again the creator, put in a deep free-kick from the left and the Welshman was on hand to poke the ball past a stationary John Ruddy.
Soon after Villa were in dreamland. Albert Adomah whipped a great ball in and Lewis Grabban got in front of his man to get his fourth goal in four.
A turning point in the game came when shouts for a Snodgrass handball from Ruben Neves’ free-kick were waved away.
But in the grand scheme of things would it have really mattered?
For our fourth, substitute Bikir Bjarnason decided to become Lionel Messi, simple as. Going past three Wolves players, the Icelander made enough space to toe the ball past Ruddy and into the bottom corner.
Sam Johnstone made some good saves late on, to make sure Villa held onto the points and the third spot in the Championship.
A loss today might have put an end to our automatic promotion hopes, but after that win Villa are real contenders. Cardiff, four points ahead in second, still have Wolves to play, before they travel to Villa Park in April in what could be a make or break game. UTV.
Words by Harry Trend (@HazaTrand) // Follow us on Twitter (@claretandview)
