Shocking loss to Wolves, Aston Villa on the verge of losing top 3 spot to Man Utd

Aston Villa's significant letdown came via a 0-2 loss to Wolves in the 28th round of the 2025/26 Premier League, thereby confronting the danger of Man Utd surpassing them in the battle for a top 3 finish.

In the early hours of February 28th (Vietnam time), Aston Villa visited Molineux Stadium to face Wolves in an early fixture of matchweek 28 in the 2025/26 Premier League. Against the league's bottom-placed team, Unai Emery's side surprisingly collapsed 0-2, thereby putting themselves in a difficult position in the top 3 race.

Right from the opening minutes, Aston Villa started proactively and controlled possession for the majority of the first half. The visitors created several chances in the first period but lacked sharpness in decisive moments. Pau Torres missed a clear header from close range in a wide-open position, while Douglas Luiz failed to beat goalkeeper Jose Sa with a shot that lacked sufficient threat.

Meanwhile, Wolves generated little pressure before the break. However, disciplined and tightly organized defending allowed the hosts to withstand Villa's onslaught.

The turning point arrived in the 61st minute. Following a scramble in the penalty area, the ball fell to Joao Gomes. The midfielder unleashed a powerful strike that clipped the underside of the crossbar before nestling in the net, igniting celebrations at Molineux. The goal forced Unai Emery to make adjustments, sending on Tammy Abraham to bolster the attack.

Despite this, Aston Villa's efforts appeared lacking in creativity and cutting edge. As the visitors pushed forward for a late equalizer, they were made to pay. In stoppage time, Wolves executed a sharp counter-attack and Rodrigo Gomes coolly finished into the space, sealing a 2-0 victory.

The valuable three points helped Wolves surpass the unfortunate 11-point mark set by Derby County in the 2007/08 season, though their survival hopes remain slim. Conversely, Aston Villa continued to show inconsistent form at this crucial stage. This defeat leaves them facing the risk of losing third place to Manchester United. The gap is now just 3 points, with the Red Devils having a game in hand and a slight advantage in goal difference. If they defeat Crystal Palace on March 1st, Man Utd will officially seize the top 3 spot from Villa.