SAN FRANCISCO, December 12, (THEWILL) – In a dramatic end to proceedings in the first fixture of the English Premier League Matchday 12 at the Molineux, Aston Villa beat Wolves by a goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time thanks to a late Anwar El Ghazi penalty.
Introduced as a 75th-minute substitute for Bertrand Traore with 15 minutes to go, El Ghazi lined himself up to convert from the spot scoring his second spot-kick after netting from 12 yards back in January last season.
Aston Villa brought in midfielder Jacob Ramsey and winger Bertrand Traore to the starting XI and they helped to keep the midfield resolute allowing Villa to be the better team in the first half despite not testing Rui Patricio, in goal for the hosts.
Although, Dean Smith’s side managed just one deflected effort on target prior to the penalty, which midfielder John McGinn won from defender Nelson Semedo, Wolves were largely dominant in the second half.
Most of the praise for the victory belongs to super Argentinian goalie Emiliano Martinez, who produced a handful of stunning stops especially one that denied Leander Dendoncker with 10 minutes to go.
Smith’s charges had to deal with losing Douglas Luiz on 85 minutes after the Brazilian was sent off for a second yellow card for appearing to lead with his arm up against the central midfielder Daniel Podence.
In the end, it was Villa who won it at the death thanks to El Ghazi’s cool head but the criticism must be laid at the feet of Joao Moutinho for bringing down Ramsey in the box so late in the game.
It is the first win for the visitors away from home since Villa beat Arsenal and they gave a performance that was dogged and determined until the very final whistle.
It does not get easier for Wolves as they host high-flying Chelsea on Tuesday while Villa welcome Burnley to Villa Park on Thursday.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
