Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction

The 2023/24 Premier League season is under way and you can follow every game and every goal right here with The Independent.

This year sees Manchester City try to defend their crown and claim a historic fourth title in succession. Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City, who also won the Champions League and FA Cup last season, will have to see off Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and the rest to claim an unprecedented sixth league title in seven years.

Meanwhile Luton Town are making their first appearance in the Premier League, having risen from non-league in an incredible decade of progress. They followed Championship winners Burnley and second-placed Sheffield United in earning promotion to the top flight.

Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.

Aston Villa FC 2 - 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:37

Diaby registered a goal and an assist to help Villa beat Wolves 2-0 at Villa Park. The win for the Lions means they are back into the top four on goal difference, leapfrogging Tottenham. However, it was far from routine for the hosts, who only created an xG of 0.84 compared to Wolves' 1.35. The Old Gold had plenty of chances to score, with Ait-Nouri hitting his effort straight at Martinez when the score was goalless. Villa started slowly but netted the opener through Diaby, who fired his first-time, left-footed strike from the edge past Sa. He then assisted Konsa after the break, with the defender looping a cross over the goalkeeper and into the net. His effort was worth an xG of just 0.033, but he looked delighted to score his first goal since 2021. The only worry for Villa will be the possible injury to Watkins, who went off at half-time. Emery's men travel to Manchester City for their next match, with injury-hit Wolves going to Burnley. That's all for today, goodbye.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:30

FULL-TIME: ASTON VILLA 2-0 WOLVES

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:29

CLOSE! Doherty collects the ball on the right and rolls a pass down the right to Fraser. The young forward goes for the near post with his strike and crashes the side of the net. He almost surprised Martinez, who captains Villa today and will keep a clean sheet.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:28

WIDE! Wolves go close from a corner! Lemina wrestles away his marker and gets on the end of Sarabia's cross, but powers his header wide of the right post.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:27

A day to remember for Kesler-Hayden, who makes his Premier League debut in the final few minutes. Bailey helped create Villa's first goal and is given a rest.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:26

Yellow Card Lucas Digne

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:26

There is a sign of frustration from Fraser, who hacks through Konsa trying to win possession inside Villa's box. The visitors should have more to show for their efforts in the first half but haven’t done anywhere near enough since the restart.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:22

Luiz has a free-kick just to the right in a shooting position but decides to lift a cross into the box. Wolves head it clear as far as Zaniolo, who has his shot blocked by an incoming defender.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:20

After Konsa's goal and some technical problems in the second half, there will be nine minutes of additional time.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:20

Yellow Card Tote António Gomes

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:20

CHANCE! Wolves go close to getting one back! Santiago Bueno comes down the left and whips a wonderful cross towards Doherty, but he heads over from close range.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:18

Wolves have had the possession for the last two minutes, but have been playing the ball around the halfway line. They are trying to force an opening. However, Villa are making it very difficult.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:18

Substitution Moussa Diaby Timothy Emeka Iroegbunam

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:14

Substitution João Victor Gomes da Silva Boubacar Traoré

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:13

Substitution Leon Chiwome Nathan John Mark Fraser

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:13

Substitution Nélson Cabral Semedo Matthew James Doherty

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:13

Across spells with Arsenal and Aston Villa, Emery has failed to win any of his six Premier League encounters with Wolves (drawing four and losing two), which is the joint most he’s faced a side in the competition without ever winning (also six v Liverpool). As long as Villa avoid a late an unlikely comeback from Wolves, they will move back into the top four.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:13

Yellow Card Maximilian William Kilman

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:11

Yellow Card Tawanda Blessing Chirewa

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:10

Villa have a couple of corners in quick succession after the restart. Luiz's first cross is headed behind by Gomes before Santiago Bueno directs Carlos' header out.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:08

The match is back under way, with the assistant referee getting a new battery pack.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:05

There is a break in the match, with the referee needing some assistance with technology.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:05

Digne floats the ball down the left to Duran, who drives into the box before watching his deflected strike go wide of the right post. He then apologises to Diaby, who made a supporting run but wasn’t found.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:02

Villa have a free-kick on the left in a crossing position. Luiz's ball into the box is flicked towards the back post by Torres' heal, but Sa comes off his line to claim it.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:01

Substitution Thomas Glyn Doyle Tawanda Blessing Chirewa

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:01

Wolves have won four of their last six Premier League games (losing two). On the road, they’ve won three of their last five (drawing one and losing one), as many as in their previous 20. They should have scored the first goal in the first half, but missed the chances and have been punished.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:58

CHANCE! Zaniolo played a role in Villa's second goal and almost gets a goal to his name off the bench. He arrives on the edge of the box and drives a low shot on target, but Sa gets down to push it into the air before collecting it on the second attempt.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:55

Assist Moussa Diaby

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:54

Hugo Bueno is on for Ait-Nouri.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:53

Substitution Alexandre Moreno Lopera Lucas Digne

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:53

CHANCE! Lemina latches onto the ball on the left and pokes a header into Chiwome. The 18-year-old does brilliantly to turn past Carlos to get down the left side of the box, but the Brazilan recovers with a clever slide tackle to stop him from getting a shot away.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:53

Substitution Morgan Elliot Rogers Nicolò Zaniolo

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:50

Bailey has the ball on the left, moving inside with the ball and beating a couple of defenders with some quick feet. He could shoot from range but looks to slip a pass through to Duran. However, the ball goes straight to Sa. Duran is still waiting for his first touch after coming on at half-time.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:48

Sarabia has the chance to swing a corner into the box from the left, but the pressure on Villa's box immediately ends when Toti fouls Martinez. A strange foul from the defender, as the ball was nowhere near them.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:48

The referee stops the match so that players observing Ramadan can take on some food and water.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:48

Moreno gets caught in possession just outside the Villa box by Sarabia, who lifts a cross towards Lemina. He is put under pressure by Konsa, with his weak header going straight to Martinez.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:45

Carlos goes long to try and start a Villa attack, with Duran getting behind the Wolves defence. However, Kilman watches it all the way and makes a good interception under pressure.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:43

Villa have won 16 of their previous 17 Premier League home games under Unai Emery when ahead at half-time, only failing to do so against Arsenal in February 2023 (losing 4-2). Wolves have started strongly, with the hosts trying to figure out how to play with Watkins up front.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:42

There are plenty of Wolves players over the free-kick just to the right outside Villa's box. Doyle is to the left, but Sarabia takes it, whipping his shot over the wall and well over the bar.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:40

Gomes makes a wonderful run across the edge of Villa's box before being pushed to the floor. Sarabia collects it and sends a shot straight at Martinez, with the referee blowing for a free-kick.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:39

OVER! Tielemans does brilliantly to win possession on his own box before unlocking Bailey down the right with a lifted pass forward. He drives forward with the ball, cutting inside before lashing his shot well over from just outside the box.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:38

WIDE! Luiz and Bailey make a bit of a mess of a free-kick, with the former of the two getting a slight touch on the ball as they both run away from it. Bailey collects it and sends a cross towards Carlos, but the defender heads it wide before the flag goes up for offside.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:37

Villa get the ball rolling again. Some of the Lions' 1994 EFL Cup winning side were on the pitch to celebrate the 30th anniversary of them beating Manchester United in the final. The home fans will be hoping they will get to see a win on their return to Villa Park.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:35

A moment of concern for Villa, with striker Watkins coming off for Duran. It would be very surprising if he came off without being injured.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:28

Villa have lost three of their last four Premier League matches at Villa Park and were far from their best in the first half. The hosts only created an xG of 0.31 from their four attempts, with Diaby thumping in the opener with a first-time shot from outside the box. Villa struggled to keep possession for long stretches before the break and were lucky not to go behind when Ait-Nouri failed to score from close range. Wolves registered an xG of 0.83 from their seven shots. Young striker Chiwome has struggled to get involved on his debut and has had just eight touches, but Doyle has been brilliant. The midfielder controlled the tempo for much of the half and completed 90.5 per cent of his passes.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:24

Diaby scored the only goal in the first half to give Villa a 1-0 lead over Wolves at Villa Park. The Old Gold started strongly and were punished for missing their chances. Doyle flashed a shot from the edge of the box just wide of the left post before Ait-Nouri had a huge opportunity to break the deadlock. Bueno's cross from the right dropped straight to his feet, but the Algeria international struck his effort straight at Martinez from close range. The Lions slowly built their way into the half and ended strongly. Tielemans slid a perfect throughball into the path of Watkins, but the forward slammed the side of the net. Torres then had a header saved before the hosts took the lead. Luiz chipped a free-kick down the left to Bailey, who cut the ball back to Diaby on the edge of the box. The Frenchman rushed onto it and blasted his strike into the net.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:18

HALF-TIME: ASTON VILLA 1-0 WOLVES

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:18

CHANCE! Konsa strolls out of the defence and is not put under any pressure by the Wolves defence. He arrives on the edge of the box and looks to shoot with his left foot but sends it high and wide of the target.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:17

There will be two minutes of additional time. O'Neil needs to have a half-time talk with his Wolves side. As for Villa, they are bouncing.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:16

Doyle collects possession on the halfway line and looks to start an attack. He switches the ball out to Semedo, but he takes a loose touch, sending it straight out for a goal-kick.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:15

Villa have kept possession well for the last couple of minutes. Martinez has been given too much time to pick the right option in possession, with Chiwome pressing the host's defence by himself. It looks like Wolves have lost all their belief after conceding the opening goal and are vulnerable.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:13

Wolves manager O'Neil will be furious that his side have let their control slip. The Old Gold have had seven shots and created an xG of 0.83, but their misses have proven to be costly. Villa Park has gone from silent to loud, with the hosts feeling like they could score a second before half-time.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:10

Villa have lost three of their last four Premier League games at Villa Park (winning one), as many as in Unai Emery’s first 23 such games in charge of the Villans (winning 18 and drawing two). Indeed, so far in 2024 only Sheffield United (one) have collected fewer points at home in the competition than their three. They started poorly but have had three good chances to score and now have the lead after a great strike from Diaby.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:07

Goal Moussa Diaby

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:07

Doyle collects the ball on the right and slides a pass down the right to Sarabia, who is completely free on the right. His low cross is cleared away before the flag goes up for offside. However, Emery will be concerned he was not marked, as the Spaniard was only marginally offside and should have done better.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:06

SAVE! Another good chance for Villa! Bailey has possession on the right, switching the ball onto his left foot before curling an inswinging cross into the box. Torres flicks a header on target but sends his effort straight at Sa.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:03

Semedo tries to break down the left, but Rogers sticks to his man and forces the ball out for a Villa throw-in. He does it right in front of Emery, who is delighted with his defensive work.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:01

Yellow Card Youri Marion A. Tielemans

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

18:01

WIDE! What a miss from Watkins after a brilliant move! Diaby collects a loose ball in Wolves' half and pokes a pass back to Tielemans. He wants it back immediately, but Tielemans threads a perfect throughball into Watkins. He is one-on-one with Sa down the left side of the box but shoots wide. His strike crashed the side of the net, causing some of the home fans to celebrate what they thought was an opening goal.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:58

Rogers gains possession on the left and rolls a pass into Moreno, who sends a cross straight out for a goal-kick. The away fans enjoyed that, but Villa are starting to grow into the contest after a period of complete domination from Wolves.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:56

Bailey has the ball on the right and switches a pass brilliantly over to the left. Moreno looks to challenge Semedo, but the defender puts in a good tackle and wins a throw-in for his side. Villa must do something to turn the momentum in their favour, as the home fans have had almost nothing to shout about.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:53

SAVE! Wolves work the ball out from the corner, with Doyle collecting possession just outside the box before rolling it across to Sarabia. He curls a first-time, left-footed strike on target, but Martinez reads his intentions and makes a simple save.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:52

Doyle's deep free-kick from the right just inside Villa's half goes to Lemina on the left, but he cannot keep his balance, allowing Konsa to get across and clear the ball out for a throw-in.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:49

Semedo plays a clever one-two with Sarabia on the right, rolling past a defender before seeing his cross cleared away by Torres.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:49

Yellow Card Pablo Sarabia García

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:48

Ait-Nouri has been involved in two goals in his last three Premier League appearances for Wolves (one goal and one assist), as many as in his previous 55 appearances in the competition; he’s only been involved in more in a single campaign in the competition in 2021-22 (three). He should have scored moments ago and even looked across to see if he was offside.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:48

SAVE! Ait-Nouri must score! Bueno has possession on the right, and he curls a cross into the box that is flicked to Ait-Nouri at the back post. He has time and space to shoot but strikes his effort straight at Martinez.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:45

Villa go long to Watkins, who looks to challenge for the ball just outside Wolves' box. Sa takes control of the situation and rushes off his line to head it away. Very brave from the goalkeeper, who is making his 100th Premier League appearance.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:44

Wolves have won three and lost just one of their last five Premier League games against sides starting the day in the top five positions (drawing one), as many wins as in their previous 31 such games (drawing six and losing 22). The Old Gold have started strongly, having 66.7 per cent of the possession in the early stages. Doyle is looking to get on the ball at every opportunity and has completed 100 per cent of his 17 passes.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:42

OFFSIDE! Luiz puts the ball in the net, but the goal won’t count! Rogers has possession on the left and flicks a clever pass inside to Diaby, who slides a throughball into Watkins. The forward is one-on-one with Sa, but his chip is saved by the head of the goalkeeper. Luiz smashes the rebound into the net, with the flag then going up against Watkins, who makes no complaints.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:38

Luiz and Bailey are over a free-kick on the right for Villa, with Konsa having a conversation with the pair before getting into the box. However, Bailey's inswinging cross is headed clear.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:37

WIDE! An early chance for Wolves! A corner from the right is headed away by Watkins as far as Doyle, who collects possession on the edge of the box and puts the ball onto his right foot. He looks to whip a fast strike into the bottom-left corner, but it flashes wide of the post.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:35

The referee stops the play with Sarabia going down in Wolves' half after a strong tackle. However, he is quickly back to his feet. The visitors will be glad to see him recover quickly, especially with the injury problems they have in their attack.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:34

Wolves have had most of the possession in the early stages. Watkins and Diaby have tried to snatch the ball away a couple of times in the opposition’s half, but O'Neil's men have kept it well.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:31

Wolves get this Premier League clash under way. All of the early focus will be on their 18-year-old striker Chiwome.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:29

After losing their first Premier League away game against Villa in December 2003, Wolves have alternated between a draw (four) and a win (three) in their last seven such visits to Villa Park, drawing 1-1 in January last season. Both teams are on the pitch and are ready to get started.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:14

Wolves make one alteration to the team that lost 3-2 to Coventry in the FA Cup. Chiwome makes his Premier League debut and replaces Fraser up front. Pedro Neto, Hee-Chan Hwang and Matheus Cunha are all missing through injury.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:14

Villa make two changes to the side that drew with West Ham in their last outing. Carlos starts instead of Lenglet at centre-back, with Diaby playing up front ahead of Duran, who drops to the bench.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:14

WOLVES SUBS: Matt Doherty, Boubacar Traore, Noha Lemina, Hugo Bueno, Dan Bentley, Fletcher Holman, Ty Barnett, Tawanda Chirewa, Nathan Fraser.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:09

WOLVES (3-4-2-1): Jose Sa; Santiago Bueno, Maximilian Kilman, Toti Gomes; Nelson Semedo, Joao Gomes, Tommy Doyle, Rayan Ait-Nouri; Pablo Sarabia, Mario Lemina, Leon Chiwome.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:09

ASTON VILLA SUBS: Lucas Digne, Calum Chambers, Clement Lenglet, Nicolo Zaniolo, Jhon Duran, Robin Olsen, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Tim Iroegbunam, Omari Kellyman.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:09

ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Emiliano Martinez; Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Pau Torres, Alex Moreno; Leon Bailey, Youri Tielemans, Douglas Luiz, Morgan Rogers; Moussa Diaby, Ollie Watkins.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:04

Wolves are in the mix to quality for a place in European football next season and are in ninth position, three points behind West Ham in seventh. Gary O’Neil’s men have been in scintillating form since Christmas Eve and have collected 22 points (winning seven, drawing one and losing three), with only Manchester City (29), Liverpool (25) and Arsenal (24) collecting more in that time. The Old Gold have won four of their last six matches in the top flight, beating an in-form Fulham 2-1 in their previous outing in the league, but will be looking to forget their most recent match in the FA Cup just before the international break. They looked set for the semi-finals and a place at Wembley after leading 2-1 against Coventry City heading into stoppage time. However, Ellis Simms struck an equaliser in the 97th minute before Haji Wright scored the winner in the 100th minute to win it for the Sky Blues at Molineux.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:04

Villa are battling for a place in the Champions League next season and will move back into fourth position with a victory over Wolves after Tottenham overtook them on goal difference with a win against Luton Town earlier today. The Lions bounced back from their 2-1 loss to Manchester United with three successive top-flight wins. However, they have collected just one point from their last two outings. The hosts lost 4-0 to rivals Spurs before a 1-1 draw with West Ham in their previous outing, with Nicolo Zaniolo scoring a 79th-minute equaliser. Villa will want to return to winning ways, but they have not been victorious in their last six matches against Wolves (drawing three and losing three) since a 1-0 away win in December 2020 under Dean Smith.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

17:00

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Wolves at Villa Park.

Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

16:30

Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…