Chris Sutton issues score prediction for Wolves’ West Midlands derby clash vs Aston Villa

A grey cloud has hovered over Wolves at the start of this season as supporters are left wondering where the first league win is coming from.

For 75 minutes of their match against Newcastle United last weekend, it looked as though Wolves fans would have been celebrating three points come full-time.

But two screamers, one from Fabian Schar and the other from Harvey Barnes turned the game on its head and handed Newcastle all three points.

That was the Wanderer’s third defeat in four games and they continued their disastrous form on Wednesday night, bowing out of the Carabao Cup against Brighton.

Paul Merson thinks that Wolves have been ‘unlucky’ this season but that doesn’t change the fact that Gary O’Neil’s men haven’t been good enough.

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Chris Sutton’s prediction for Aston Villa vs Wolves

With a trip to Aston Villa preceding two home clashes against Liverpool and Manchester City in September and October, it could get worse for Wolves before it gets better.

Continuing their difficult run of games with a trip to Villa Park this weekend, the Wanderers haven’t been given much chance of securing a positive result and understandably so.

Unai Emery’s men have won three of their opening four matches in the Premier League and kickstarted their Champions League campaign with a 3-0 victory over Young Boys.

Issuing his prediction for this weekend’s West Midlands derby, Chris Sutton believes O’Neil’s side will lose 2-0 but did agree with Merson in saying that Wolves haven’t had ‘much luck’ so far.

“There were some strange results that cost me last week – I was nailed on to get the exact score of Wolves versus Newcastle until Harvey Barnes smashed in Newcastle’s winner late on,” Sutton told BBC Sport.

“Wolves hit the post too when they were 1-0 up and although they have only picked up one point from their first four games, they have not had much luck and I still think they will end up being fine this season, even though I don’t expect them to get anything here.”

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Wolves recent record vs Aston Villa offers hope

The odds are stacked against the Old Gold securing a win at Villa Park.

O’Neil believes that Wolves have been ‘second best’ in all of their matches so far but that excuse doesn’t sit right with many, as the Old Gold should believe they can win every game they go into.

Tasting just one victory in their last 14 matches, supporters are desperate to see their side claim all three points in this fixture and their recent record will offer a glimmer of hope.

Wolves have lost just three of their last 10 games against Aston Villa, and while that doesn’t count for much currently, form does usually go out of the window in derby matches.

That could play into O’Neil’s hands, whose future at Molineux is secure despite the poor run of form.