Wolves without four key players for Aston Villa as Gary O’Neil reveals Ollie Watkins plan.
Wolverhampton Wanderers make the trip to Aston Villa on Saturday but do so without four very important players.
Gary O’Neil, fresh from links with a Manchester United hotseat that isn’t even vacant, is looking forward to taking his Wolves team to Aston Villa today.
The Wolves boss does so knowing he will be without the likes of Craig Dawson, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Hee Chan Hwang and Pedro Neto but hopeful that Matheus Cunha will return to play at Villa Park.
Wolves make the trip across the West Midlands in ninth place, five spots and 15 points behind Unai Emery’s Champions League chasers but having won three of their last four league games and yet to suffer defeat at Villa Park since returning to the top flight.
He is relishing what is sure to be a hostile reception. “I’m really looking forward to another one,” he said. “Taking the lads into one that’s going to be loud and a testing atmosphere, and see what we can do to maybe quieten it and have our own way against it.
“It’s another big game for the supporters which we like, we’ve been able to give them some good ones so far this year and the lads have worked really hard since they’re returned from all over the place to get down, focused and ready to face Aston Villa.
“I think I’ve got a good idea of what Villa will look like, definitely shape-wise and probably personnel-wise, there’s obviously a couple of question marks still in there, but whoever they play, they’re an incredibly talented team.
“Of course, they’ve got a couple missing, but they’ll be a really tough test that the lads are looking forward to. They have a good understanding of what’s needed to get us through the game, and an opportunity to put another memorable result on the board.”
