Unai Emery would have learnt more about his squad of players in the 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers than he would have done in the victory over Tottenham on New Year’s Day.
I expressed my worry that the game against Wolves would have been harder purely based on the mentality of this team in the past. Villa have notoriously performed (not always got results) against the top sides in the Premier League and then not done so against those we should be looking to take all three points against.
You may say I am being a tad harsh. They were playing their third game in ten days and players were picking up niggling injuries but Wolves, like the rest of the Premier League would have been in a similar situation.
Poor Performance
In truth, this was the worst performance under Emery to date, certainly in the first half and credit to Wolves, they were fantastic in the opening 45 minutes. I have spoken to Wolves fans since the full-time whistle and they have all stated that this was their best performance for as long as they can remember.
However, let’s turn it on its head and look at it from another perspective. Despite the poor performance in the first half, Emery made changes at half time and Villa improved and probably should have come away with all three points in the end.
Villa made two changes from the win over Tottenham; Matty Cash replaced the injured John McGinn, which proved not to work. And our World Cup Winner, Emi Martinez, who was introduced to the fans with his medal before kick-off replaced Robin Olsen who dropped to the bench.
As I already mentioned, it was the visitors who took control of the first half and they came close early on when Joao Moutinho hung up a cross to the far post for Nathan Collins, only for Ezri Konsa to clear off the line.
Villa looked leggy and was happy to sit back but Wolves found inspiration through Daniel Podence.
He picked up the ball from a cleared corner and found Moutinho on the right before beating Douglas Luiz to the return pass. The Portuguese winger turned past Luiz and picked his spot just inside the far post, leaving Martinez with no chance.
Wolves should have built on their lead but despite their impressive performance, scoring goals has been an issue all season for them and it was no different on the night.
The best of the chances from the visitors came through Matheus Nunes when he burst through a static Villa defence but was denied by Martinez.
Half-time changes
A section of Villa fans booed their team off at half-time, rightly or wrongly but it was clear changes needed to be made. Up steps Mr Emery.
Ashley Young was replaced by Phillipe Coutinho and Villa changed their shape. The performance on the field improved along with the atmosphere of the home fans.
Despite Villa taking control of the second half, chances were at a premium with too many crosses being cleared comfortably by Nathan Collins and Max Kilman.
Villa had a claim for a spot-kick when Bueno mis-controlled a cross with the ball striking his hand. Both the referee and VAR were having none of it, however.
Moments later, Villa finally made a breakthrough with probably the best move from the home side all night. Tyrone Mings played a beautiful ball over the top of the Wolves’ backline, allowing substitute Danny Ings to run through on goal. A slip by goalkeeper Jose Sa made the finish even easier for the forward who scored his sixth goal in the league this season.
The game began to become edgy with Villa continuing to dominate but the visitors looking to counter-attack and both sides had their chances late on.
Rayan Ait-Nouri made a superb run up the pitch, beating several challenges before being denied by Martinez.
Villa then had their own chance to win it at the end when Ings found Leon Bailey with his first touch taking it around Sa but he seemed to lose his balance and his second touch saw the ball go the wrong side of the post.
Next up for Villa is Stevenage in the FA Cup. I’d imagine a much-required rest for several of the first-team players and an opportunity for the fringe players to show Emery that they deserve a chance under his management.