Follow live coverage as Wolverhampton Wanderers face Aston Villa today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.

The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.

Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:

Wolverhampton Wanderers FC 2 - 0 Aston Villa FC

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:39

Wolves earn a merited 2-0 win over West Midlands rivals Aston Villa at Molineux, as their disciplined display pays off against a jaded away side. Villa's Champions League hangover was fully exploited by a home team that could have scored more during the first half but only had Bellegarde's goal to show for their efforts. Having kept Villa at arm's length after the break, they then struck at the very end of the game through Cunha, jumping out of the Premier League's bottom three with a vital home win. While the Wolverhampton club finished with an xG of 1.57, their visitors from Birmingham mustered only 0.51 with Watkins coming off injured at half-time. Villa are next back in action eight days from now, with an FA Cup tie against Tottenham, while Wolves will visit Blackburn Rovers on the same day. That's all from Molineux, so thank you for joining us and goodbye!

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:32

FULL-TIME: WOLVES 2-0 ASTON VILLA

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:30

Yellow Card Matheus Santos Carneiro da Cunha

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:28

A promising counter-attack comes to nothing for Wolves, and Martinez sends the ball straight upfield. It's getting desparate for Villa now - time's running out.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:28

Goal Matheus Santos Carneiro da Cunha

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:26

Bailey cuts inside from the right, onto his favoured left foot, before his low shot is deflected behind for a corner-kick. He then takes the set-piece himself, but Tielemans then volleys a dropping ball high over the crossbar.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:25

Aston Villa will have at least seven more minutes to try and finally break through Wolves' stubborn rearguard, as there have been several delays for substitutions and injuries.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:23

SHARP STOP! Sa races off his line to snuff out Malen's low shot, and Wolves clear the remaining danger! It was a good save with the goalkeeper's outstretched leg, as Wolves inch closer to victory.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:20

Bellegarde has stayed down on the turf, and he will require treatment. As a bonus, this will eat up a few more seconds for Wolves.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:18

Substitution Jean-Ricner Bellegarde Santiago Ignacio Bueno Sciutto

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:18

SAVE! Diving down to his right, Sa stops a powerful Malen drive from the edge of the area, before Maatsen hammers the rebound straight at a defender! Wolves keep their 1-0 lead intact!

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:15

Persistent pressure by Aston Villa comes to nothing, as a Maatsen cross from the left byline sails straight into Sa's arms.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:15

Substitution Lamare Trenton Chansey Bogarde Kosta Nedeljković

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:13

Without recently departed 'super-sub' Jhon Duran to turn to - and Watkins watching on from the sidelines, injured - there's no-one else for Emery to introduce up front. Wolves are defending well, but Villa have shown no cutting edge.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:10

At the second attempt, after the first is negated by some jostling between players, Cunha steps up to the free-kick and curls it comfortably over the crossbar. He was looking to pick out the top-left corner, but it needed a little more dip.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:10

Substitution Pablo Sarabia García Hee-Chan Hwang

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:09

After Kamara expertly halts a driving run by Cunha, he then fouls Bellegarde and concedes a free-kick around 25 yards from goal. This is a good opportunity to soak up time and perhaps score a vital goal from the set-piece.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:06

Although Guedes has already walked off, neither of two Wolves subs have yet been introduced, so the hosts are down to 10 men for now. It's a real mix-up between staff and officials.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:05

Substitution Gonçalo Manuel Ganchinho Guedes Thomas Glyn Doyle

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:04

Pereira is readying at least one substitute, with fresh legs and minds perhaps needed to see this result over the line. Wolves have registered no shots since half-time, and only three final-third entries compared to Villa's 18.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

19:00

Bogarde again deals with the danger, snuffing out Cunha on the edge of Villa's box. He started this game in midfield but is now operating at right-back due to Garcia's half-time departure.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:59

An increasingly rare Wolves attack comes to nothing: Bogarde does just enough to interfere with Cunha's attempt to prod home a Sarabia cross from the right.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:58

Their season average of 2.26 goals against per game is the worst Wolves have recorded in any league campaign since 1932-33, yet they're on course for a precious clean sheet today. Villa are applying more pressure, but the hosts are standing firm.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:55

Konsa's ball up from deep finds Maatsen on the left, and the full-back then feeds Bailey in the box. The latter lashes an attempt at goal, but Agbadou steps in to make a crucial block.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:53

NO PENALTY! This time, Villa escape: Malen is not penalised and no spot-kick will be awarded to Wolves!

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:53

PENALTY FOR WOLVES? Cunha whips in a free-kick from the left, which falls towards Toti, who then goes down under a mistimed challenge from Malen. No penalty is awarded, but the VAR is getting involved again - will that call be overturned?

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:50

They may have marginally missed out on a leveller, but Aston Villa are certainly showing more signs of life. They've still produced just one legitimate shot on target, though, and must now start to test Sa.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:48

NO GOAL! The on-field officials' decision stands - Villa are denied a potential equaliser! It's judged that Rogers was interfering with play while in an offside position, so Wolves survive a major scare!

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:47

GOAL CHECK! After a long delay, Bailey plays the free-kick down the left side of the defensive wall, McGinn cuts it back across the box and Malen turns it home from close range. Immediately, the assistant's flag is raised for offside - but the VAR is taking another look!

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:45

A typically bustling Rogers run is halted by Doherty, and Wolves concede a free-kick in dangerous territory. It'll be a good set-piece chance for Villa, around 20 yards from goal.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:42

Toti's interception cuts out an attempted throughball by Tielemans, as Aston Villa continue to be held at bay by a well-organised Wolves defence. They've barely been troubled today.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:41

Following all of Villa's changes, it looks like Malen will fill in up front, supported by Bailey. The visitors clearly needed some fresh legs, and Emery probably didn't get his initial selection quite right.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:38

Onana takes Ramsey's place.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:37

Substitution Morgan Elliot Rogers Amadou Ba Zeund Georges Mvom Onana

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:37

Aston Villa kick off, and we are back under way at Molineux!

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:36

Substitution Lucas Digne Ian Ethan Maatsen

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:36

Substitution Oliver George Arthur Watkins Leon Patrick Bailey Butler

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:36

Substitution Andrés García Robledo Donyell Malen

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:31

Wolves have won their last two Premier League games when ahead at half time - although they let such a lead slip in September's reverse fixture versus Villa - and that first-half performance will surely boost their confidence. The Wolverhampton club have lost just one of the last five home meetings with their Birmingham-based counterparts, and they're now on track for a fourth win in six.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:28

Making light of their plight at the wrong end of the Premier League table, Wolves deservedly lead West Midlands rivals Aston Villa 1-0 at half-time. The hosts have continually picked off a jaded Villa team on the counter, and really should be ahead by more - as evidenced by their xG of 1.41, compared to the visitors' meagre 0.08 so far. Guedes could've scored twice, but it's Bellegarde's unerring finish that separates the sides at Molineux, where the home side may soon be climbing out of the bottom three. Can Villa summon up some energy after the break, or will their top-five challenge take another hit?

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:22

HALF-TIME: WOLVES 1-0 ASTON VILLA

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:22

CLOSE! After his first effort is cut out by Konsa, Cunha then has a follow-up shot saved comfortably by Martinez. Moments later, the Villa keeper rushes out to narrow the angle and deny Guedes! it's a Wolves corner.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:18

There will be at least four minutes of stoppage time added to the end of this first half, as Aston Villa resume their rather tame attempts to open up a solid Wolves defence.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:18

Yellow Card Lamare Trenton Chansey Bogarde

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:17

MISS! Wolves spurn another golden chance to double their lead! Bellegarde slips through a brilliant pass to split Villa's retreating defence, but Guedes fires wide of the right-hand post by a few feet - he really had to score there! Villa escape again!

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:14

From the right wing, Sarabia whips in a free-kick towards a packed penalty box, and Kamara intervenes with a clearing header. The resulting corner ultimately ends up in the gloves of Martinez.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:12

Play resumes with Sa and Watkins able to continue, as half-time rapidly approaches. Will there be time for one more big chance? Either side scoring now could have a major impact on the final outcome.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:10

Doherty does just enough to deal with a threatening cross by Digne, guiding the ball away from Konsa and behind for a corner. Following the set-piece, Sa and Watkins collide in an aerial challenge, and both will require treatment.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:09

DOUBLE CHANCE! After a rapid counter-attack, Cunha shakes off Kamara and sees a shot saved at close range by Martinez. From the rebound, Guedes looks to slot the ball into the bottom-left corner, but he slips it just wide of the post! It should be 2-0!

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:04

Aston Villa are yet to lose a top-flight fixture under Emery against any team starting the day inside the Premier League's relegation zone, winning 13 out of 18. However, Wolves are on course to halt that run today - they've restricted their visitors to two shots so far.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:04

Yellow Card Pablo Sarabia García

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:03

Kamara has to make a last-ditch clearance following a dangerous Wolves free-kick, which is loaded into the area, but the assistant's flag was up for offside in any case.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:00

Yellow Card Morgan Elliot Rogers

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

18:00

Martinez races off his line to gather in a low throughball by Semedo, who is trying to pick out Guedes. The latter isn't pleased with his team-mate's delivery, letting the wing-back know in no uncertain terms.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:59

As has often been the case after their Champions League fixtures, Aston Villa seem slightly off the pace today. Wolves are keeping a good tempo, while remaining tough to break down - it's so far, so good for the hosts.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:56

Martinez stays down on the turf, calling for treatment for an unspecified injury. It's a bit of a mystery, as no contact was made. Soon enough, Wolves restart play with a corner - a foul by Toti gifts Villa a free-kick.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:54

Sarabia's inswinging corner is headed away fro immediate danger by Kamara at the near post. Moments later, some slack Villa defending almost sees Sarabia sneak in at the back post, but Kamara is on hand once again.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:52

Wolves are keeping a compact shape as they try to keep their West Midlands rivals at arm's length. When the hosts attempt to counter, Tielemans brings down Sarabia but avoids a booking.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:51

With a one-goal lead in the bag, Wolves now have a 56% chance of going on to claim a precious Premier League victory, according to Opta's live win predictor. Villa's chance stands at just 19%, but there's still a long way to go.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:47

Villa try to respond with a quick leveller, as Digne sends in a corner-kick from the right. Konsa just fails to make contact, before a clearance lands at the feet of McGinn. The latter's speculative shot is deflected, so it'll be another claret-and-blue corner.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:47

Yellow Card John McGinn

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:43

Goal Jean-Ricner Bellegarde

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:43

After Tielemans has a mid-range shot blocked behind for another corner-kick, Digne delivers an outswinging cross from the left. Wolves easily clear their lines, but they're struggling to get out of their own half at the moment.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:42

With a 60% share of possession so far, Aston Villa are starting to apply some pressure to their hosts. Making his Premier League debut, Garcia races to the right byline and sees his lofted cross towards Watkins headed behind for a corner by Semedo.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:40

Sarabia complains bitterly to the referee when Wolves have a potential counter-attack stopped by McGinn's handball. Villa's skipper concedes a free-kick but avoids a booking.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:38

Despite a raucous atmosphere in the stands, as two local rivals meet, this game has started without much incident, broken up by a series of minor fouls.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:36

Although Villa failed to make the most of their first dead-ball opportunity, they are renowned for their prowess in that aspect of the game. Meanwhile, Wolves have shipped 19 set-piece goals this season - penalties excluded - which is the most of any Premier League team.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:34

When Ramsey races through a small gap on the left, Doherty brings the Villa man down and concedes a free-kick around 30 yards from the Wolves goal. Set-piece specialist Tielemans takes it, but the cross drifts too close to Sa, who plucks it out of the air.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:32

Wearing their traditional 'old gold', Wolves kick off, and we are under way at Molineux!

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:31

Both teams are out on the pitch, and kick-off in this Premier League contest is now just moments away!

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:27

Villa also make a trio of changes compared to their last Premier League outing. The visitors’ defensive crisis continues, as Tyrone Mings and Matty Cash recently joined Pau Torres on the sidelines, so Garcia is makes his debut and Bogarde fills in at centre-back. Captain McGinn makes his first start since returning from injury.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:22

As Joao Gomes is suspended and Jorgen Strand Larsen misses out due to a muscle injury, Wolves make three changes today, with Bueno dropping down to the bench. Toti, Ricner-Bellegarde and Guedes all come into the hosts’ lineup. Top scorer Cunha - who has been linked with a transfer Aston Villa - starts up front.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:22

SUBS: Robin Olsen, Oliwier Zych, Donyell Malen, Kosta Nedeljkovic, Ian Maatsen, Amadou Onana, Leon Bailey, Sil Swinkels, Jamaldeen Jimoh.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:17

ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez; Andres Garcia, Ezri Konsa, Lamare Bogarde, Lucas Digne; Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans; John McGinn, Morgan Rogers,Jacob Ramsey; Ollie Watkins.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:11

SUBS: Sam Johnstone, Santiago Bueno, Hwang Hee-Chan, Craig Dawson, Rodrigo Gomes, Tommy Doyle, Carlos Forbs, Tawanda Chirewa, Pedro Lima.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:11

WOLVES (3-4-2-1): Jose Sa; Matt Doherty, Toti Gomes, Emmanuel Agbadou; Nelson Semedo, Andre, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Rayan Ait-Nouri; Pablo Sarabia, Goncalo Guedes; Matheus Cunha.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:11

Aston Villa have made the short trip to Molineux aiming to follow up on September’s reverse fixture in Birmingham, when they claimed a 3-1 home win. In midweek, Unai Emery's men secured automatic qualification to the Champions League’s last 16 after beating Celtic 4-2 in a Villa Park thriller featuring a Morgan Rogers hat-trick. They now shift their attention back to the Premier League, where they sit eighth in the table after last week’s 1-1 draw with West Ham.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:06

Relegation-threatened Wolves come into this West Midlands derby having picked up just one point across their last five Premier League matches, with a 2-2 draw at Tottenham being followed by four straight defeats for the loss of 10 goals. Last week’s loss at home to Arsenal saw both teams reduced to 10 men, with the title-chasing Gunners ultimately coming out on top. As a result, Vitor Pereira’s side have slipped back into the drop zone - albeit they are only one point adrift of safety.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

17:00

Hello and welcome to live coverage of today's Premier League contest between Wolves and Aston Villa at Molineux!

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

15:30

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