Bruno Lage has chosen his Wolves starting eleven to face Aston Villa this afternoon.
It’s Lage’s first Midlands derby as Wolves manager as the club return to action after the international break.
Villa will be tricky opponents on what is the only Midlands derby in the Premier League this season.
The big team news is that Raul Jimenez has been dropped to the bench after his international exploits with Mexico.
There has been a formation tweak, with three central midfielders playing as Leander Dendoncker comes into the side.
Adama Traore replaces Francisco Trincao, in what looks like a 5-3-2 system from Lage.
Jimenez should come off the bench in the second half, which could Wolves a boost.
Emi Martinez and Douglas Luiz were in action for Brazil and Argentina and are starting for Villa.
Reaction
Wolves have decided to take a more conservative stance with Jimenez’s fitness.
Here is how that decision has gone down on Twitter ahead of a big Midlands derby…
Raul literally only played Thursday night calm down ffs
— callum (@cal_wolvesfc) October 16, 2021
Love this, understandable as Jimenez just got home from Mexico yesterday, Traore and Hwang up top im hoping they can cause some chaos. Strong midfield and decent defence too.
— Spence WWFC (@spence_wwfc) October 16, 2021
What’s he got against boly ffs
— Jack 🏴 (@wwfcjack5) October 16, 2021
He played with the national team on Thursday, Jimenez just arrived in England at night, he must rest a little
— Jahir Torres ♦️🌏🌙 (@JahirTorres_D) October 16, 2021
Great selection, brilliant thinking. Grind them down and then bring on Jimenez in the last 30 minutes to get his hat trick 🧡🖤
— 🖤🧡 🅷🅾🆆🅻🅸🅽_🆆🅾🅻🅵 (@HwlinWlf) October 16, 2021
Jimenez played Thursday that’s why he’s not starting
— Honeyman🐺🇮🇪 (@PeterNaughton12) October 16, 2021
Fear the worst seeing that, if no Raul I'd have gone Podence/Fabio Hwang and Adama
— Jay (@JLittle67995162) October 16, 2021
Dear me, 5-3-2
— Working hard or (@Hardly_working) October 16, 2021
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