Villa stay fifth after Torres earns them point at Wolves

Updated: Oct 8, 2023, 12:25 pm

Defender Pau Torres' back-post equaliser earned Aston Villa a 1-1 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday that keeps Unai Emery's side fifth in the Premier League standings.

The in-form Hwang Hee-chan tapped home Pedro Neto's pull-back to edge Wolves in front, the South Korean forward's fifth goal of the season, in the 53rd minute.

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The advantage lasted just two minutes, however, as Torres steered a cross from Ollie Watkins into the net to level things up.

With Wolves midfielder Mario Lemina being sent off for the visitors late on for picking up two yellow cards, Villa had chances to win it in stoppage time -- but settled for the draw.

Pau Torres' equaliser was the defender's first goal contribution for Aston Villa.
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images

Lemina's second red card in English football should have given the hosts added impetus with the numerical advantage, and Ezri Konsa could have won it before Watkins struck the post right at the death.

"It's a derby, I think we felt it on the pitch," Emery said. "There are a lot of Aston Villa supporters with us to make a good atmosphere.

"Scoring first they were feeling very good and it's difficult to get back in the match. In 90 minutes more or less the result was fair. We had more chances and controlled the match. They had less chances to score than us. Here to win is very difficult."

Wolves are unbeaten in their last six league games against Villa, their second longest such run against their Midlands rivals.

"I think the points return has been good for the games we have had. The fixtures were tough," Wolves boss Gary O'Neil told the BBC.

"In general, we are in a good spot points return wise. The last two games have looked a lot more like how we prepped for. Some progression and a lot of work to do."

Wolves climb to 14th with the point, four points above the relegation zone.