Kamara’s Moment of Quality Settles Tight Derby for Villa

At a glance

Boubacar Kamara’s stunning effort settles the derby

Jorgen Strand Larsen has a first-half opener disallowed

Yerson Mosquera hits the bar for Wolves

PLAYER RATER

Boubacar Kamara’s stunner fired Aston Villa to third in the Premier League after a gritty derby win over Wolves.

The midfielder’s strike extended their run to five straight wins in all competitions and settled a tight battle.

Villa, now a point behind second-placed Manchester City, often struggled to break Wolves down but Kamara produced a rare moment of quality.

Defeat kept the visitors winless and bottom of the Premier League – nine points from the safety line – with boss Rob Edwards looking to pull of a remarkable escape.

Yet, despite their desperate position, the visitors threatened often and Jorgen Strand Larsen’s first-half goal was disallowed, with Jhon Arias in an offside position and obstructing Emi Martinez, before the striker tested the goalkeeper.

Martinez turned Yerson Mosquera’s header on to the bar before the break, while the Villa goalkeeper also stopped Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s low drive after the restart.

Having survived their scares, Villa then struck with 23 minutes left when Kamara drilled into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Aston Villa analysis: Result the most important stat

It was not a classic performance from Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.

They struggled to create serious openings and again relied on the spectacular to get them over the line.

They have scored 56% of their Premier League goals [nine out of 16] from outside the box this season, an eye-catching stat which could cause problems.

It is one which could ultimately undermine them in the long run if and when the goals dry up.

It was another blank from Ollie Watkins, after he was dropped and came off the bench, and while Donyell Malen has eight in his last 14 for club and country Villa do not have a reliable goalscorer.

Yet they are third in the Premier League, belying the stats which have them second bottom of Opta’s ‘expected’ table.

Emery remains Villa’s biggest weapon, his ability to eek out every last drop from his side was evident again on Sunday and Villa fans will not care where the goals come from. They are riding high and only the result matters.

Wolves analysis: A similar story for the strugglers

Once Emi Martinez tipped Yerson Mosquera’s header on to the bar before half-time the result felt eerily predictable.

Wolves had the better chances and had the ball in the net – before VAR denied Jorgen Strand Larsen – and caused Villa some real trouble.

Ultimately, it was an even game, one which Wolves could have won, but – as so often – they lacked the final bit of quality – or luck – to get that result.

In contrast to Villa, Wolves just miss that player who is able to conjure a magic moment and paid the price.

They did deserve something from the game and, again, there was plenty of heart and commitment but the result extended the winless start to 13, approaching Sheffield United’s unwanted Premier League record of 17.

If Wolves can recreate the performance against lesser sides – and more importantly take their chances – then they can dream of one of the greatest of escapes.

But after a winless start to the season, one which cost Vitor Pereira his job, Wolves need more than just hope.

What’s next for these teams?

Aston Villa: Villa go to Brighton in the Premier League on Wednesday [19:30] before hosting Arsenal on 6 December [12:30].

Wolves: Rob Edwards’ strugglers welcome Nottingham Forest to Molineux on Wednesday [19:30] and then Manchester United on 8 December [20:00].

Average rating8.49

Source: BBC