Wolves were hit with a double whammy on Saturday afternoon as Yerson Mosquera was stretched off during a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa.
Wolves came out of the blocks flying against Aston Villa as they unsettled the hosts by pressing high and assuming some control in the game.
The intent from Gary O’Neil’s men was admirable as Matheus Cunha gave them the lead inside 25 minutes however, just like in the Newcastle game, the Old Gold crumbled in the second half.
Ollie Watkins got Villa back on level terms in the 73rd minute and at that point, there was only going to be one winner as goals from Ezri Konsa and Jhon Duran handed Wolves their fourth defeat in five league games.
A loss against the Villans wasn’t the only sucker punch O’Neil faced on Saturday as centre-back Yerson Mosquera was stretched off in the 82nd minute.
Gary O’Neil shares injury update on Wolves star Yerson Mosquera
Mosquera started alongside Craig Dawson for the third game running and the young Colombian held his own for most of the game.
The 23-year-old rarely looked flustered in possession and was a figure of strength defensively. Unfortunately, a fine defensive performance was cut short eight minutes from time.
He was taken off on a stretcher and replaced by Santiago Bueno, who didn’t get much time to settle into the game as Villa scored two goals late on.
O’Neil has since provided an update on Mosquera and the Wolves boss claims it ‘doesn’t look good’ for the youngster after injuring his knee.
“We don’t know yet regarding Yerson but it doesn’t look good. An area we were already short in and we didn’t get a replacement in the window. It’s his knee,” O’Neil said as per Nathan Judah on X.
Wolves left in dire situation with just two senior fit centre-backs
O’Neil is left cursing Wolves’ inability to sign a centre-back this summer, as now, the Wanderers are left with just two senior central defenders to select from after failing to keep a clean sheet in 17.
Veteran defender Dawson and Bueno are his only current options, with Toti Gomes nursing a knock and Mosquera’s injury looking serious.
The only centre-back Wolves signed this summer was 18-year-old Bastien Meupiyou but supporters are yet to see him in action.
For Wolves to be in such a dire situation only five games in the season just shows how ill prepared they were after losing captain Max Kilman to West Ham, with no direct replacement lined up.
Supporters will now be left fearing the worst as it’s likely O’Neil will start Dawson and Bueno as a pairing at home to Liverpool next weekend, and the Reds will be licking their lips.