Aston Villa 2-0 Wolves - Premier League RECAP: Ezri Konsa doubles the hosts' lead - but Ollie Watkins goes off in blow to Unai Emery

We're wrapping up this live blog now but allow me to direct your attention to tonight's final match in the capital.

Manchester United, on a high from their FA Cup win against Liverpool, travel to Brentford, the scene of one of Erik ten Hag's lowest moments.

Three points are a must for the Red Devils, who are 12 points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa and nine behind Tottenham.

My colleague HARRY BAMFORTH will take you through every kick. To follow the updates, simply click on the link below!

All over at Villa Park! That's a huge three points for the hosts.

Villa are in pole position in the race for the Champions League, with this victory seeing them moving back ahead of Tottenham.

It wasn't plain sailing at times but goals from Moussa Diaby and Ezri Konsa were enough to secure them the derby bragging rights.

As for Wolves, they stay 10th.

Leon Bailey has made way for Kaine Hesler-Hayden. This is a Premier League debut for the substitute, who will get a few minutes to shine.

Lucas Digne, incidentally, has been booked for dissent.

Wolves are still probing but this looks like a case of too little, too late.

They've been superb for much of this derby but that bizarre second Villa goal visibly sucked the wind out of their sails.

There will be NINE added minutes to round this one off!

Toti Gomes has been booked for a clumsy foul.

Leon Bailey's afterburners have caused Wolves problems all evening and this time, Toti stumbled and fell into the winger.

It was a clear-cut foul and caution.

Another change, this time for Villa.

Moussa Diaby has been replaced by Tim Iroegbunam.

CHANCE! Matt Doherty should really have got that on target.

A cross from the left picked out the substitute, who got up above Lucas Digne before timing his jump to perfection.

His header lacked power, though, and dropped onto the roof of the net.

Max Kilman and Jhon Duran have been booked after an altercation.

There was a tussle in midfield and both men could have been cautioned for dissent. I'm not exactly sure of the reason.

A triple change for Wolves, who look to have run out of ideas.

Nelson Semedi, Leon Chiwome and Joao Gomes have made way.

On come Matt Doherty, Boubacar Traore and Nathan Fraser.

Tawanda Chirewa has been booked. The youngster, on as a substitute earlier in this half, looked to stop a quick free-kick being taken.

After a quick battery change, we're OK to continue.

Villa restarted with a corner over on the right but were unable to make that one count. A couple of other set pieces also came and went.

A slight break in play while one of the linesmen changes the pack on his arm. I think he needs a new battery.

Moments earlier, Jhon Duran was played through for Villa but dragged a poor shot across goal, albeit after a deflection.

Wolves have made another change.

Tawanda Chirewa is on for just his third Premier League appearance.

Tommy Doyle, who lost the ball before that second goal, is off.

Villa should be three goals ahead!

Nicolo Zaniolo was teed up on the edge of the box after some shaky defending from Wolves, but Jose Sa parried away with a strong wrist.

The atmosphere in this home crowd is absolutely electric. They're well on course to surge back into the Champions League spots.

Ezri Konsa didn't mean that but he won't care one bit!

Moussa Diaby played Ezri Konsa down on the overlap and the full back's attempted cross was hacked toward the goal line.

Somehow, the ball then dropped over Jose Sa and crossed the line at the far post, doubling Villa's lead in bizarre fashion.

I believe that's his first league goal since 2021.

Wolves have also made a switch.

Rayan Ait-Nouri has been replaced by Hugo Bueno.

There aren't too many options on the visitors' bench tonight.

Here's that double change for Villa.

Morgan Rogers and Alex Moreno have made way.

Nicolo Zaniolo and Lucas Digne are on.

That's a complete refresh of the hosts' left-hand side.

Villa are preparing a couple of changes.

Nicolo Zaniolo is set to come on, with Morgan Rogers to make way.

Unai Emery is not a happy man down on the touchline.

Wolves have started this second half just like they did the first.

They're on top and probing the hosts, who look nervy.

Gary O'Neil will be desperate for something to show for their efforts.

There is space for Villa, but they're failing to use it.

View from the press box - Joe Bernstein at Villa Park...

Villa's set-piece coach Austin MacPhee is having a good game.

The goal was clearly worked on and a nice little routine between Douglas Luiz and Leon Bailey has almost led to a second.

They'll have to work on their routines without Ollie Watkins of course - it'll be interesting to see the impact of his half-time withdrawal.

Wolves just couldn't punish a mistake at the back!

Alex Moreno got into all sorts of bother on the left and Pablo Sarabia clipped an inviting cross toward Mario Lemina at the far post.

Lemina and Ezri Konsa duelled as the ball dropped and as a result, the midfielder could only guide a weak header straight at Emi Martinez.

The visitors are knocking on the door.

Wolves won a very dangerous free-kick right on the edge of the box after Joao Gomes was bundled to the floor by Alex Moreno.

Tommy Doyle and Pablo Sarabia were both stood over the ball and in the end, it was the latter that bent his effort off target.

Cue jeers from the home crowd.

Leon Bailey tried to do it all himself!

Youri Tielemans did brilliantly to rob Rayan Ait-Nouri of the ball on the edge of his own box before playing Bailey down the line.

The winger jinked inside onto his right foot but at the last moment didn't set himself, with his effort hurtling over the crossbar.

High, wide and not very handsome.

A good start from both sides again.

At one end, Diego Carlos got in behind Wolves' high line and met a cross, although the offside flag was raised regardless.

Tommy Doyle then looked to bend a ball through for Leon Chiwome, but Emi Martinez was quick to rush off his line and collect.

Off we go again at Villa Park!

Villa have made a change at the break.

Jhon Duran has replaced Ollie Watkins up top.

Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp...

Wolves now have to come out and open up and that could play into Villa's hands with their pace in forward positions.

Here's some good news for the Villa supporters tuning in.

Villa are unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches when leading at half-time (W5, D0). Impressive.

Villa lead at the break.

Wolves were the better team in the opening 20 minutes or so but the home side eventually found a foothold and began to pose a threat.

A moment of genius from a set piece again led to a Villa goal, with a ball out to the left teeing up Moussa Diaby, who rifled home brilliantly.

Both these sides look incredibly well coached and Wolves had chances too, with Rayan Ait-Nouri denied just a few yards out.

View from the press box - Joe Bernstein at Villa Park...

Moussa Diaby has blown a bit hot and cold since his Villa club record £52million signing from Bayer Leverkusen but there was no doubting the quality of that opening strike.

He's a popular feller too judging by the reaction of his team-mates who mobbed him in delight to the left of Unai Emery’s technical area.

We're into two added minutes at the end of this half.

Wolves are all over the shop at the back now.

Nelson Semedo did very well to take down an overhit cross-field pass knocked toward the right back position and then play down the line.

Every sloppy pass from the visitors is being greeted with sarcastic cheers and oles from the home crowd, who are well up for this.

All of a sudden, Villa are ahead and protecting the ball superbly.

When they have taken the lead this season, typically they've been able to keep their boot firmly on the throat of their opponents.

Gary O'Neil will be furious in the opposite dugout. His side fell asleep for that set piece and were punished in a matter of seconds.

WHAT A GOAL! A lovely swept finish from Moussa Diaby.

Villa won a free-kick and Douglas Luiz clipped the ball out to Leon Bailey down the left after some very quick thinking.

Bailey then turned the ball back to the edge of the penalty area, where Diaby was waiting. He took a touch before rippling the net.

A great pass and a better strike. Villa lead!

CHANCE! Almost the opener from Pau Torres.

Leon Bailey won a corner after duelling with Rayan Ait-Nouri and the set piece was worked short to Douglas Luiz.

Bailey's cross was then cleared away but Villa, after keeping the danger alive, teed up Torres, who nodded straight at Jose Sa.

View from the press box - Joe Bernstein at Villa Park...

Ollie Watkins might wish he'd hit Tielemans' through-ball first-time.

He took a touch and by the time he did shoot left-footed, the angle was too tight and the ball ended up in the side netting.

One impressive aspect of the striker's game this season is how he's responded to missing a chance. Villa fans will hope he can do it again.

Youri Tielemans has been cautioned.

Another cross from Alex Moreno down the left was over hit and Tielemans was forced to commit a foul to stop Rayan Ait-Nouri's run.

The home crowd have come to life after that Ollie Watkins chance.

There had been a lull with Wolves flying out of the traps so well.

We've got a game on our hands, folks!

BIG MISS! Ollie Watkins had to score!

He did all the hard work, it just needed a finish! What a move.

Youri Tielemans slid the ball into Watkins' path and the striker rounded Jose Sa, albeit narrowing the angle in the process.

He then looked to fire into the corner but instead clipped just wide.

A patient move for Villa resulted in Alex Moreno hooking a poor cross behind the goal and into the stand. The hosts have been pretty poor.

Wolves, on the other hand, look very well-drilled and up for this one.

The catch, of course, is that they have to score while on top.

It's fair to say Gary O'Neil was fuming with Rayan Ait-Nouri's miss.

A more comfortable save for Emi Martinez this time.

Pablo Sarabia looked to bend one into the top corner from the edge of the box, but his curling effort was easy pickings.

Pablo Sarabia has been shown the first yellow card of the evening.

Morgan Rogers broke away brilliantly through the heart of midfield and after beating several players, was fouled by Sarabia.

An open and shut case, that.

View from the press box - Joe Bernstein at Villa Park...

Nice moment in an otherwise quiet opening.

Tyrone Mings, who has been out with a long-term injury, is pictured on the big screen alongside John McGinn and there is widespread applause around Villa Park which brought a smile to his face.

BIG SAVE! Rayan Ait-Nouri simply HAD to score there.

Villa failed to deal with another cross from the far side and the ball eventually dropped to the wing-back at the far post.

He had just Emi Martinez to beat but seemed to hesitate for a second too long, allowing the goalkeeper to keep his weak effort out.

That's a real surprise in light of his recent goalscoring heroics.

Jose Sa, sweeper keeper.

The stopper came rushing off his line to nod a dangerous long ball forward away and knew exactly where the boundaries of his box were.

If he had slightly mistimed that, he would have been in big trouble.

This has been a great watch so far. I'm really enjoying this.

Wolves have shown no fear in these early stages and are pressing Villa high up, looking to force turnovers and using the flanks well.

There is space in behind, though, which Villa could exploit, as they almost did before Ollie Watkins was caught narrowly offside.

A really good tactical battle.

Villa have the ball in the net - but it won't count!

Ollie Watkins was threaded through on goal by Moussa Diaby and looked to have timed his run in behind to perfection.

His effort was smothered by Jose Sa before Douglas Luiz gobbled up the rebound and found the net courtesy of a big deflection.

The linesman's flag was raised, however, after Watkins went too early.

Oooof. Just wide from the boot of Tommy Doyle.

Wolves have been on top the last couple of minutes and after Nelson Semedo's volley was clattered away, they kept up the pressure.

A corner was cleared only as far as the waiting Doyle on the edge of the box, with his powerful effort flashing off target.

View from the press box - Joe Bernstein at Villa Park...

A proud moment for 18-year-old Wolves forward Leon Chiwome as he walks out of the tunnel for his Premier League debut.

He'll be hoping his No 84 shirt is a good omen - it's the same number worn by another young breakthrough star, Conor Bradley, who has done well this season at Liverpool.

A cracking atmosphere at Villa Park with fans knowing their team need at least a point to return to the top four after Tottenham's earlier win.

This has been an entertaining start.

Alex Moreno looked to break down the left and deliver into the box down one end but his delivery was too strong and floated away.

At the other end, the ball was whipped in towards Leon Chiwome but the cross was too close to Emi Martinez, who collected.

End to end so far.

We're underway at Villa Park!

Here come the teams! Let's do this.

Tottenham's 2-1 win against Luton in the 3pm games saw them edge ahead of Aston Villa and up into fourth place.

A point may be enough for Villa to move back into the Champions League spots, however, while three points would definitely do the job.

Wolves, meanwhile, are 10th, three points adrift of seventh place.

We're set for a grandstand finish in the race for Europe!

Aston Villa were a real force on home territory for much of the season but their form here has crashed into the buffers.

Indeed, they have lost three of their last four home games, as many as in Unai Emery's first 23 such games in charge.

Only Sheffield United have picked up fewer home points in 2024.

Out on the pitch, their players are wrapping up their warm-ups.

You just can't beat this Bank Holiday weekend.

The sun is shining and the crowds have flocked to Villa Park for this one, with anticipation, excitement and nerves lingering in the air.

It's a little crisp out there but a perfect evening for a kick around.

Will that translate into goals galore? We'll find out soon enough!

What an international break it was for this man.

Youri Tielemans bagged twice for Belgium in their 2-2 draw with England and looked a real handful in midfield at Wembley.

He has been rewarded with a start this evening by Unai Emery and will look to put his up-and-down season with Villa to one side.

On his way, his passing range makes him a real menace. He's also adept at late arrivals into the box, which Wolves have to track.

One surprise rumour during the international break linked Wolves boss Gary O'Neil with a coaching role at Manchester United.

O'Neil admitted it was an honour to be linked with the Red Devils but insisted he has no plans to take on less responsibility elsewhere.

Here's what he had to say...

I love it here. I'm a head coach. I'm always going to be a head coach. I'm really enjoying my time at Wolves. I was only made aware of it by the media team.

What a job he's doing at Molineux, by the way.

Unai Emery believes this is an opportunity and not pressure for Villa.

A massive evening for his side awaits.

Wolves are in the building ahead of this one.

It wasn't a very long journey for them admittedly.

If anyone knows the exact distance between Molineux and Villa Park, please do let me know in the comments below!

I'm not lazy, I'm just bad at maths.

It's just the one change for Wolves this evening.

Teenager Leon Chiwome starts on his Premier League debut in place of Nathan Fraser, another talented youngster.

Gary O'Neil's squad remains gutted by injuries to key players including Pedro Neto, Hee-Chan Hwang and Matheus Cunha.

Villa have made two changes from the side that started their 1-1 draw with West Ham before the international break.

Diego Carlos and Moussa Diaby have been recalled by Unai Emery.

Clement Lenglet and Jhon Duran have dropped to the bench.

Wolves XI: Sa, Semedo, S. Bueno, Kilman, Toti, Ait-Nouri, Gomes, Lemina, Doyle, Sarabia, Chiwome

Substitutes: Bentley, Doherty, Traore, Lemina, H. Bueno, Holman, Barnett, Chirewa, Fraser

Villa XI: Martinez, Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Moreno, Bailey, Tielemans, Luiz, Rogers, Diaby, Watkins

Substitutes: Olsen, Digne, Chambers, Lenglet, Zaniolo, Duran, Kesler-Hayden, Iroegbunam, Kellyman

Hello, all!

Welcome along to Mail Sport's live coverage as Aston Villa host Wolves. It's a very short trip across the Midlands for the visitors today.

Both these sides are eyeing up European football next season, with Villa in the Champions League race and Wolves sitting pretty in 10th.

It's certainly tightening up nicely in the race for those coveted spots and this match could go a long way to deciding who will make it.

Let's kick off with the team news...