Unai Emery given perfect Aston Villa plan to secure win vs Wolves as Ollie Watkins call made
Aston Villa haven’t won away to Wolves in six years, and something needs to change.
The last time the Villans secured victory at Molineux, Anwar El Ghazi scored a late penalty to earn three points for Dean Smith’s side.
The claret and blue faithful have since watched four outings in the Black Country and are yet to see a win, with a 1-1 draw in 2023 being the best result in that time.
Things have to be different in 2026, and there appears to be one change that Unai Emery could make to help secure a much-needed win.
There is a decision to make between Ollie Watkins and Tammy Abraham, or could both be brought in to start against the Old Gold?
- Read more: Aston Villa predicted XI to face Wolves
Aston Villa urged to play 4-4-2 vs Wolves
Emery has largely utilised a 4-2-3-1 formation this campaign, with Leon Bailey, Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers starting behind Watkins last time around.
That didn’t really work out as Leeds United were able to nullify the Villans and limit them to just half-chances at Villa Park.
A tweak could therefore make sense at Molineux, with former Villa scout Bryan King urging his old side to change tactics to a 4-4-2.
That has seen the ex-goalkeeper back Watkins and Abraham to start together with the hope of getting at a Wolves side doomed for relegation.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, King said: “Morgan Rogers has got to be central to everything Villa do.
“Martinez has got to be up for the game. Then there is a question over the strikers.
“Is he going to play Watkins or Abraham? I would go for two up front in a 4-4-2 because Wolves are really vulnerable.
“Villa are going for the Champions League, so they need to get the wheels rolling and put Wolves in their place.
“They need goals, so I would play the two strikers together.“
Could Tammy Abraham and Ollie Watkins work together?
There is no doubt that a change in approach could be exactly what the B6 outfit need right now.
Emery has struggled to get the best out of his side in recent weeks, with the inconsistency in results proving that point entirely.
The Villans haven’t won away from home since beating Newcastle in late January and will be hugely keen to do so against Wolves.
Watkins was on target at St James’ Park, and if he can do the same at Molineux, that will represent a massive boost to Villa’s chances.
There is a question of whether he can work alongside Abraham, but with his willingness to get in the faces of defenders, it could afford his striker partner the freedom he has been missing in recent weeks.
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