Aston Villa 2-3 Wolves: Fantasy football top performers, published at12:05
Wolves came back to beat Aston Villa 3-2 at Villa Park in the latest round of Premier League fixtures - but who were the top fantasy football performers from the match?
The bonus points were shared between players from both sides:
John McGinn (3)
Ruben Neves (2)
Danny Ings (1)
So which Villa and Wolves players - if any - should be making it into your team for gameweek nine? Don't forget this week's deadline is 18:30 BST on Friday before Arsenal face Aston Villa.
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Premier League fixtures at a glance, published at10:41
Questions for Lage on goals, starters and Neto fitness, published at10:37
Mike Taylor, BBC Radio WM
A week on from the Villa Park heist, Bruno Lage may well still be in his usual bouncy form for his news conference today, and can point to a run of four wins in five league games as evidence that Wolves are now adding results to their potential.
There should be confidence in advance of their visit to Leeds, but it might also be that some of the conversation today addresses what was going on before Wolves’ final surge last Saturday, as they had seemed to fade after falling behind.
Aside from that goalscoring burst, Wolves remain light on goals this season.
Lage has more options this weekend and is likely to be asked to discuss them, even if obviously reluctant to give away his plans.
Francisco Trincao is available, Hwang Hee-chan received excitable early reviews. It would be a shock, of course, if Raul Jimenez did not start at Elland Road, but in last weekend’s climax Daniel Podence made a strong case that he should too.
Lage has spoken several times of his liking for Leander Dendoncker’s running from midfield. And then there is Adama Traore, arguably the Premier League’s most thrilling runner, but how do those thrills become goals?
The words from Lage that would probably bring supporters most cheer at the moment would be news of a return to fitness for Pedro Neto and Jonny.
Hear from the Wolves boss on Friday, published at09:36
Wolves boss Bruno Lage is due to speak to the media at about 13:00 BST on Friday.
Catch up with all the key lines from his news conference on this page later.
Leeds United v Wolves: Last time out, published at15:18 21 October
Image source, Getty Images
Leeds United host Wolves in the Premier League this weekend - but what happened when the two teams last met in the top flight?
Patrick Bamford felt Leeds were "robbed of a point" after the striker had an equalising goal ruled out in a 1-0 defeat at Molineux in February.
Wolves claimed the three points after Adama Traore's thunderous effort from distance struck the crossbar and the ball rebounded off the back of goalkeeper Illan Meslier's head into the Leeds goal.
Bamford thought he had snatched a late equaliser but he was flagged offside, with the video assistant referee agreeing it was the correct decision.
Leeds v Wolves: What does the form show?, published at12:18 21 October
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*Leeds won 6-5 on penalties against Fulham while Wolves lost 3-2 on penalties to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup third round
Six points from eight games marks Leeds’ worst start to a league campaign since 1988-89 (also six). Having scored 12 goals in their final four games in the Premier League last season (won four), Leeds have netted just seven times in their eight games this term (won one, drawn three, lost four).
Wolves have won four of their last five Premier League games, more than they had in their previous 16 (won three, drawn three, lost 10). Wolves are looking to win four consecutive top-flight matches for the first time since January 1972.
After scoring just two goals from their first 85 shots in the Premier League this season, one of which was an own goal (2.4% conversion), Wolves have found the net with six of their last 18 attempts in the competition (33.3%).
Leeds v Wolves: Head-to-head stats, published at11:18 20 October
Leeds have lost each of their past five league games against Wolves, scoring just one goal in the process. They have only had six longer such losing runs against an opponent, most recently against Derby County between 2006 and 2013 (nine in a row).
Wolves have won their past three away league games against Leeds without conceding a single goal. They had only won three of their previous 25 league games at Elland Road before this (four draws, 18 defeats).
Wolves have won seven of their past 11 away league games in Yorkshire (one draw, three defeats), including each of their past two against Sheffield United and Leeds. Wolves are looking to win three consecutive away top-flight matches in Yorkshire for the first time since December 1952 (two wins vs Huddersfield, one win vs Sheffield Wednesday).
Leeds v Wolves: Who makes your Wolves team?, published at18:07 19 October
Wolves visit Leeds in the latest round of Premier League fixtures on Saturday, but who will make it into Bruno Lage's starting XI?
You'll be able to pick - and share on social media - your own line-up for every Premier League game throughout the campaign.
It's up to you how to approach it - you could go for the team you WANT the boss to pick or the one you THINK he will.
Aston Villa v Wolves: In pictures, published at10:55 19 October
Image source, Getty Images
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Wolves looked down and out when they found themselves 2-0 down against Aston Villa in the West Midlands derby - but an 80th-minute goal from Romain Saiss kept hopes alive
Image source, Getty Images
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After a goalmouth scramble, Conor Coady then bundled in an equaliser with just five minutes of normal time remaining
Image source, Getty Images
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And Ruben Neves sparked jubilant scenes in the away end when his free-kick took a deflection on its way past Emiliano Martinez and into the Villa net
Image source, Getty Images
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An extraordinary comeback for Bruno Lage and his Wolves side gives them three points and moves them up to eighth in the Premier League table
Aston Villa 2-3 Wolves: The pick of the stats, published at11:06 18 October
Image source, Getty Images
Aston Villa threw away a two-goal lead and lost a Premier League home game for only the second time, also doing so against Manchester United in November 2012 (also 3-2).
Wolves came from two goals down to win in an away Premier League game for only the second time ever, also doing so against Southampton in January 2020 (also winning 3-2).
Villa’s John McGinn has scored and assisted in the same Premier League game for only the second time in his career (72 PL apps), also doing so v Liverpool in October 2020.
Lage should take his share of the credit, published at10:48 18 October
Mike Taylor, BBC Radio WM
Bruno Lage does not come across as the sort of chap who would swagger into work this week and demand acclaim, but he would be justified in a little self-satisfaction after Saturday’s frantic finish.
It wasn’t that the starting team selection was hard to understand; even before last season, Raul Jimenez’s stamina was a constant wonder, and even having demonstrated that he is fully recovered from his head injury, it was not unreasonable for him to be on the bench given his international commitments. Leander Dendoncker is not Wolves’ most celebrated midfielder, but he pushes forward more than any of the others, and including him more or less matched the formations.
What was puzzling was the apparent delay in introducing Jimenez as the game was seemingly draining away from Wolves, and this feeling became all the more acute as he went through a prolonged series of warm-ups and stretches that would have tired out Joe Wicks.
Fabio Silva and Daniel Podence came on first, and still Wolves’ undisputed main man stood and stretched. When Wolves suddenly scored to recover to 2-1 with only 10 minutes left, Jimenez sprinted back to the dugout as if he’d had the cue, only to return to his stretching station. What was going on?
If it hadn’t worked out for Wolves, that might have been a live question. But it did, and - despite the deflection on the winning goal - it was not a fluke. Lage explained he wanted “strikers – but not strikers to play near Mings and the centre-backs”, as well as being mindful of Jimenez’s workload - “I don’t want to take risks with him”.
Podence’s introduction made the biggest difference - he had the skills to work around the Villa defence and prise the game open.
Jimenez is likely to remain Wolves’ attacking spearhead for a good while yet - they are generally stronger with him. However, last season’s biggest lesson was that Wolves have to have alternatives, and on Saturday - eventually - they showed that they did.
They also showed that they have reserves of character and leadership, and the players deserved to revel in the moment. But football management has a lot of hard days, so Lage should take his share of the credit too, for an unexpected decision that came up trumps.
Podence your star man in derby win, published at08:24 18 October
Substitute Daniel Podence was your man of the match in our Player Rater as Wolves scored three late goals to beat Aston Villa 3-2 in the West Midlands derby.
Coming off the bench in the 74th minute, Podence helped to kickstart Wolves' comeback by providing the assist for Romain Saiss' tap-in.
Lage winning Wolves fans over but Villa need to get back to basics, published at07:23 18 October
Neil Johnston, BBC Sport
Bruno Lage had big shoes to fill when he was appointed Wolves boss in June. After all, the club had enjoyed back-to-back top-seven finishes under Nuno Espirito Santo - as well as an FA Cup semi-final and a European campaign.
After a difficult start to the season, Wolves are moving along nicely with Saturday's extraordinary win over neighbours Aston Villa their third in a row.
It was their never-say-die spirit that really shone through at Villa Park, as they fought back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 after scoring in the 80th, 85th and 95th minutes.
The question now is: can they really push on?
As for Villa, their excellent 1-0 win at Manchester United on 25 September already seems a long time ago.
Since then, Dean Smith's side have lost consecutive games. What was alarming about their latest setback was the way they capitulated late on against their local rivals.
They need to get back to basics quickly - starting on Friday at Arsenal.
Aston Villa 2-3 Wolves - Lage reaction, published at18:10 16 October
Wolves boss Bruno Lage praised his players after they came from 2-0 down to seal an incredible 3-2 win away at neighbours Aston Villa.
The visitors looked down and out when John McGinn put Villa 2-0 up midway through the second-half before Wolves scored three times in the final 10 minutes.
"I think it was these games I want to continue [having in] my career in England," said Lage.
"We don't deserve to lose. I don't think Villa deserve to lose. It was a good game, a good performance, I think we created a lot of problems for Villa.
"These three points are very good for us. The confidence came with hard work."
Follow Aston Villa v Wolves live, published at14:12 16 October
Image source, BBC Sport
We're now less than one hour away from kick-off between Aston Villa and Wolves at Villa Park.
You'll be able to catch up with all the post-match reaction on this page after full-time.
Aston Villa v Wolves - confirmed team news, published at14:11 16 October
Image source, BBC Sport
Aston Villa include Emiliano Martínez and midfielder Douglas Luiz - despite the fact both were in World Cup qualifying action in South America around 38 hours ago.
Martinez played in Argentina's 1-0 win over Peru in Buenos Aires while Luiz came on as a substitute for Brazil in a 4-1 win against Uruguay in Manaus.
There are two changes from the side that lost 2-1 at Tottenham last time out on 3 October.
Emiliano Buendía and Axel Tuanzebe return in place of Kortney Hause and Jacob Ramsey.
Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Konsa, Tuanzebe, Mings, Cash, McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Buendia, Targett, Watkins, Ings.
Substitutes: Sanson, Steer, Young, Nakamba, El Ghazi, Hause, Philogene-Bidace, Archer, Jacob Ramsey.
Image source, BBC Sport
Wolves, who are seeking a third straight Premier League win, make two changes from the side that beat Newcastle on 2 October.
Adama Traore and Leander Dendoncker start in place of Francisco Trincao, who has tested positive for Covid-19, and Raul Jimenez.
Jimenez, who is on the bench, scored for Mexico in a World Cup qualifier away to El Salvador in the early hours of Thursday morning British Summer Time.
Wolves XI: Jose Sa, Kilman, Coady, Saiss, Nelson Semedo, Neves, Dendoncker, Joao Moutinho, Marcal, Traore, Hwang.
Substitutes: Hoever, Ait Nouri, Jimenez, Daniel Podence, Moulden, Boly, Silva, Ruddy, Cundle.
Can Lage find the sweet spot between styles?, published at21:35 15 October
Mike Taylor, BBC Radio WM
Footballers, their managers and attendant reporters often chatter on about teams “deserving” a particular result, but Wolves’ season so far reminds us that the outcome often doesn’t reflect the general flow of the match.
Wolves have won three of their last four games, but only occasionally during those victories did they demonstrate the attacking flair seen in their first three games.
Bruno Lage might have spent some of the last fortnight looking for the sweet spot in between these styles, but in the end the deciding factor in whether Wolves settle in the upper or lower half of the Premier League midfield will be whether they can convert chances more regularly.
That being so, Wolves fans will have been cheered over the last fortnight by the deft manner in which their new hero, Hwang Hee-Chan, converted two deluxe through-balls from Raul Jimenez to beat Newcastle.
Hwang has made a lot of friends since his arrival, not only with three goals, but a generally buccaneering approach. Assuming he’s selected again, that might make him a central figure in what ought to be a pepped-up derby atmosphere anyway.
For the last two league games Hwang has edged ahead of Adama Traore for a starting place; Traore revisits his first English club this weekend, where his raw talent was only rarely glimpsed. With Francisco Trincao unavailable, perhaps they will start together for the first time, which would be in keeping with Lage’s preferred go-get-‘em style of play.
