Wolves claimed their first victory over Aston Villa for 31 years thanks to Matt Jarvis' stunning first half strike.
Matt Jarvis goal moves Wolves to within one point of Villa
Wolves claimed their first victory over Aston Villa for 31 years thanks to Matt Jarvis' stunning first half strike.
It was a significant win as it moved Mick McCarthy's men to within a point of a disappointing Villa side, who are well and truly in a relegation fight with eight games remaining.
The midfielder broke the deadlock seven minutes before the interval with a superb finish from just inside the area.
Nenad Milijas' free-kick was flicked on by Christophe Berra and Jarvis hammered home the loose ball for his fifth goal of the campaign and his first away from Molineux.
Villa should have levelled in stoppage time but the unmarked Jean Makoun headed Stewart Downing's delivery three-yards wide.
The hosts came closest to levelling when Makoun's delicious through ball was collected by Ashley Young, but he could only hammer is effort against the underside of the crossbar.
Villa fans chanted 'we want Houllier out' at the final whistle and greeted his walk to the tunnel with loud boos. They have taken only five points from the last six games.
It was only Wolves' second away victory of the campaign but Mick McCarthy's side are now unbeaten in four games.
Positive start
Before kick-off a banner was unfurled on the Holte End with the message 'Had enough, Houllier out' but it was quickly taken down by a steward.
Wolves made a positive start and went close to taking the lead after two minutes.
Winger Adam Hammill got past Villa left-back Nathan Baker and squared the ball back to Nenad Milijas whose low 20-yard shot was turned aside by Brad Friedel.
The visitors were looking full of confidence and Kevin Doyle had a low drive blocked by Kyle Walker.
Friedel then went down at the foot of his post to keep out a Hammill effort, with Jarvis in a good position in the middle.
Play was flowing from end to end and fit-again Villa defender Carlos Cuellar headed over from an Ashley Young corner.
Wolves defender Berra headed in a Hammill centre after 21 minutes, but the effort was ruled out for offside by referee Phil Dowd.
Doyle also had the ball in the net after half an hour with a far-post header, but the cross from Hammill had drifted out of play.
Wolves defender Richard Stearman was yellow-carded after 31 minutes for a foul on Young.
Houllier made a change after 33 minutes with Baker, who was showing no visible signs of carrying an injury, replaced by Fabian Delph at left-back.
Berra left the pitch, presumably for some treatment, but returned to play a part in Wolves taking the lead after 38 minutes.
Milijas delivered the cross from the right, Berra flicked the ball on to Jarvis whose first-time shot from 15 yards flew past Friedel into the corner of the net via a post.
It was Jarvis' fifth goal of the campaign and fourth in the Premier League.
Jean Makoun should have put Villa level on the stroke of half-time. The former Lyon player was completely unmarked but headed Downing's centre wide.
Intent
Villa started the second half with positive intent and were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position right on the edge of the Wolves box after Stearman brought down Bent.
Television replays suggested the offence had taken place inside the penalty area. Bent's eventual shot was deflected for a corner after Young had rolled the free-kick into his path.
Stearman made a vital block on a fiercely-struck Downing volley before Houllier made a double change after 61 minutes. He brought on Robert Pires and Gabriel Agbonlahor in place of Reo-Coker and Albrighton.
But the substitution of Albrighton was greeted with loud boos from Villa fans and cries of 'You don't know what you're doing' towards Houllier.
McCarthy replaced Hammill with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake three minutes later.
Friedel beat out a dipping 25-yard drive from Milijas after Villa were guilty of giving the ball away in midfield.
Young was trying his best to bring Villa back into the game and the woodwork came to Wolves' rescue after 80 minutes when his shot crashed against the crossbar. George Elokobi was then booked for chopping down Downing.
Cuellar volleyed over after Pires had knocked the ball down into his path, but Villa could not find an equaliser.
| Aston Villa |
Team Statistics |
Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| 0 |
Goals |
1 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
| 2 |
Shots on Target |
3 |
| 5 |
Shots off Target |
4 |
| 5 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 8 |
Corners |
3 |
| 17 |
Fouls |
19 |
| 4 |
Offsides |
9 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
3 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 76 |
Passing Success |
66.8 |
| 15 |
Tackles |
17 |
| 66.7 |
Tackles Success |
58.8 |
| 59.7 |
Possession |
40.3 |
| 48.6 |
Territorial Advantage |
51.4 |
|
