Unai Emery explains why Wolves will present a big challenge for Aston Villa

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Unai Emery has insisted his Aston Villa side will face a major test against Wolves, as he recalled the reverse fixture earlier this season.

In recent weeks, Wolves have shown some resilience, notably holding league leaders Arsenal to a 2-2 draw and narrowly losing 1-0 to Crystal Palace despite being a man down after Ladislav Krejci’s red card.

Rob Edwards remarked after, “I was equally frustrated after the game as we should have taken something from it.”

The upcoming match against Aston Villa is not just about local bragging rights; it’s an opportunity for Wolves to prove their mettle in a derby setting.

It will be a very tough game, but Unai Emery has really talked Wolves up ahead of the clash.

• READ MORE: The starting Wolves XI Rob Edwards should field vs Aston Villa as Ladislav Krejci replaced

Unai Emery lavishes praise on Wolves after previous meeting

Emery spoke to the media today ahead of tomorrow night’s game at Molineux.

Asked for his verdict on Wolves, the Spaniard was very complimentary, and believes that Wolves are not really as bad as their points tally.

He also feels there have been improvements under Edwards.

He said (via avfc.co.uk): “Very difficult. And why? We can remember the match we played here at home, against them.

“With Rob Edwards, the coach, it was his second or third match coaching Wolverhampton, and we won. We didn’t deserve to win.

“They performed fantastic and they played a fantastic game. I remember it. And why? Because they lost some matches, the same against us, they didn’t deserve.

“At home against Bournemouth, against Chelsea, two penalties in 20 minutes for Chelsea, and some not clear penalties for me, and the consequence was the result.

“And the last match they played at home against Arsenal, they drew, against the best team in the Premier League, and maybe in the world this year.

“And last week, against Crystal Palace away, they lost (in) the last minute, one player less because they had one red card, but they played (a) fantastic game, and they deserved more.

“Everything we analyse of them makes not an easy match, feel not an easy match and feeling as well, for them and for us, it’s a derby, because we are both here in Premier League for a long time, and close here, and we can feel it as a derby.”

Home advantage

Wolves have a historical edge over Aston Villa at Molineux, having won four of their last six Premier League home games against them.

Emery has lost three times and drawn once at Molineux as Villa boss, and will be very keen to finally get a win tomorrow night.

It’s a huge test for Wolves but perhaps the pressure and expectations on Villa will tell.

And if that is to be the case, the Old Gold have to capitalise.