Any derby game is sure to bring some fire, and when Wolves travel to face Aston Villa, they will hope to cause an upset in this West Midlands showdown, and Unai Emery knows all too well that they can.
Rob Edwards has not been given much hope for this match by outside voices.
Alan Shearer thinks Wolves will break Derby’s lowest points record and believes the Villans will come away with all three points.
It is a fair assumption to make – the prediction for the match, not the Derby record – as Aston Villa are in high-flying form.
Pundits completely write Wolves off for Aston Villa clash ❌
They have amassed 18 points from a possible 21 and have shot from 18th place to fourth in that period.
However, any suggestion of the home side being complacent has been laid to rest after Unai Emery’s comments about Wolves.
Unai Emery respects Wolves based on previous fixtures against them
Despite Wolves being in 20th place and only having two points, Unai Emery is not going into the game expecting his side to have it easy.
The Aston Villa manager has found it tough against the Molineux side. He has won just two meetings out of nine against them throughout his managerial career.
And now ahead of Sunday’s game, he has admitted his respect for the Wanderers.
Speaking at his press conference for Aston Villa vs Wolves, Emery said, “My respect is massive. Firstly, because with our experiences against Wolves, Premier League, always was very difficult. Even winning, last year, was difficult, two years ago, and always, they are performing very well here.
“Maybe it’s a small derby, and we can feel how difficult it’s being playing against every team, and being Wolves with the moment they are, they will need to compete and to try to start getting more points.”
Rob Edwards will be desperate to get a win in this match. After representing both sides, the Wolves head coach knows how much this game means to their supporters.
And for himself, it would be an excellent launchpad to change the momentum of the season.
Unai Emery feels Rob Edwards’ past will help Wolves
Wolves and Aston Villa are perhaps the two clubs that Rob Edwards knows best.
He began his career at Villa Park in their academy and eventually made his way into the first team but barely featured for them.
And then a few years on, he would sign for Wolves, and the Old Gold would be the side he played for the most.
Wolves head coach Rob Edwards began his career at Aston Villa but played just nine games between 1999 and 2004. His most notable period during his playing career came at Molineux, playing 111 times for the Old Gold.
He gave everything for the shirt when he played.
With that history in mind, Emery feels Edwards could use that to his advantage. The Villa manager said, “Wolves, they are in the bottom, but with the new coach, they’re going to be motivated and excited; they are now with the necessity to get in a good competitive way.
“They are going to try to do it on Sunday, and of course, the coach, he knows us, and he’s going to use his capacity, trying to get points here.”
Let’s all hope the Rob Edwards era can kickstart with a bang, and Emery’s fear rings true.
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