Wolves pulled off a stunning upset on Friday night, hammering their West Midlands rivals Aston Villa 2-0 at a rain-soaked Molineux.
The Premier League’s basement club showed far more hunger than their third-placed neighbours throughout the derby clash.
Joao Gomes opened the scoring with a lovely finish, while his namesake Rodrigo wrapped things up late on with a breakaway goal deep into added time.
It was a miserable evening for Unai Emery’s side, who simply couldn’t find their rhythm against a Wolves team fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table.
Rodrigo Gomes’s last-gasp goal sent Molineux into pandemonium
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Villa had their moments before the break but never really troubled the hosts. Ollie Watkins, who’s been struggling for form, saw his effort blocked.
Pau Torres nodded a header wide of the target, and Douglas Luiz fired a volley straight at Jose Sa.
Emery threw on fresh legs with a double substitution around the hour mark, hoping to spark his team into life.
But it was Wolves who struck first with a slick attacking move that felt completely at odds with their dreadful campaign. Adam Armstrong played a delightful ball into the path of Joao Gomes, who made no mistake with his finish.
Joao Gomes gave Wolves the lead against a poor Villa side
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The home faithful were soon serenading their opponents with chants of “1-0 to the Championship” as Villa desperately searched for an equaliser.
Emery brought on Tammy Abraham in a last-ditch effort, but Wolves stood firm at the back before delivering the knockout blow.
Substitute Rodrigo Gomes raced clear in the dying moments and slotted past Emi Martinez to spark wild celebrations.
The victory means Wolves have now overtaken Derby County’s infamous all-time Premier League low points tally, banishing that particular embarrassment and delivering a rare moment of pure joy for the long-suffering supporters inside Molineux.
Rob Edwards couldn’t contain himself when that second goal went in. The Wolves boss sprinted down the touchline, pumping his fists wildly, booting an advertising board and roaring at the crowd in scenes reminiscent of Jurgen Klopp at his most animated.
Rob Edwards celebrated wildly after full-time as Wolves managed just their second win in the Premier League this season
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“Really proud, that’s why I came here, nights like that, to connect with the supporters like that,” Edwards told Sky Sports afterwards.
“I know we are in a difficult position but I love football tonight like that, it’s brilliant.”
Rodrigo Gomes seals the win for Wolves! ✅ pic.twitter.com/GXdgfi4kxc
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 27, 2026
For Villa, the defeat couldn’t have come at a worse time.
Their grip on a top-four spot has loosened considerably ahead of Wednesday’s crucial meeting with Chelsea, with Manchester United potentially leapfrogging them before then.