Wolves’ confirmed XI vs Aston Villa with Jhon Arias one of three changes for Rob Edwards

Wolves take on Aston Villa today in the Premier League – and the team news is now in.

After losing his first game against Crystal Palace, Rob Edwards is hoping that a more productive week of training will lead to an improved showing today at Villa Park.

Unai Emery’s side are the overwhelming favourites having been in great form in recent weeks.

Anything can happen in a derby…

Since Wolves and Aston Villa have been back in the Premier League (2019), Wolves have won six of their 12 games against the Villans (50%).

They got off to a slow start, but Villa have won six of their last seven Premier League games, with their only defeat in that run coming against Liverpool.

Perhaps the lack of expectation will aid Wolves today. But there is also obviously pressure given the Old Gold are nine points adrift of safety.

With kick-off looming for Wolves and Villa at 2:05pm, the starting XI have now been announced.

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Wolves confirmed XI to face Aston Villa as Rob Edwards makes X changes

Edwards has made a number of changes to face Villa today, from the team that started against Palace.

Sam Johnstone keeps his place in goal, and will be hoping for only a second clean sheet this season.

Jackson Tchatchoua and David Moller Wolfe keep their places at wing-back, and there is one change in the backline as Yerson Mosquera comes in to play alongside Emmanuel Agbadou and Toti Gomes.

There is no Ladislav Krejci in the squad today.

In midfield, Joao Gomes and Andre start, with Jean-Ricner Bellegarde also playing at the expense of Marshall Munetsi.

Jhon Arias returns to the starting XI, replacing Tolu Arokodare. Jorgen Strand Larsen keeps his place.

• READ MORE: One thing is absolutely clear for John McGinn about Wolves ahead of Aston Villa clash

Wolves must stay in the game vs Aston Villa

It’s safe to say that not too many Wolves fans are optimistic about today’s game, given the contrasting form of the two teams.

No doubt, this will be an extremely tough test for Wanderers, who are suffering from a lack of confidence right now.

The key will be for Wolves to keep themselves in the contest and not allow Villa to get ahead.

Wolves’ issues are clear to see in the final third ahead of playing Aston Villa…

No player has scored more than once for Wolves across their 12 games so far in the Premier League this season. Only four sides have had a longer wait from the start of a campaign for a player to score twice – Bradford City (15 games in 2000-01), Huddersfield Town (13 in 2018-19), Tottenham (13 in 2006-07) and Wimbledon (13 in 1994-95).

Even if Villa take a 1-0 lead then Wolves will still be in it, but anything more and that’s a mountain to climb for the visitors.

If Wolves are still 0-0 with Villa in the second-half, then the game becomes a genuine opportunity to get points on the board.

Hopefully, Edwards has been working on some things in training this week that will allow Wolves to carry a bit more of a threat, which has been a real issue this term.