Wolverhampton Wanderers have bounced back from their heavy defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend by earning all three points against West Midlands rivals Aston Villa at Molineux this afternoon.
The deciding moment in the contest arrived in the ninth minute when Ruben Neves's corner was headed home by Toti Gomes, and despite Unai Emery's men having the lion's share of the ball, the visitors were unable to breach a stubborn home defence.
Villa have now suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time since February - a pair of results which have seen their chances of qualifying for European football next term lessen significantly.
Wolves, meanwhile, have hit the coveted 40-point mark in the Premier League standings and can surely plan for their sixth-straight season in the division - their first full campaign under the stewardship of Julen Lopetegui.
Wolves started the game brightly and managed to score in front of their home faithful at Molineux within the first 10 minutes of the contest - to the dismay of Villa boss Emery.
Neves swung in a delicious corner kick from the right side, and Gomes rose above his marker to head the ball off the crossbar and past World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez in the visitors' net.
After Wolves took the lead, it was Villa who took control of proceedings, with the Second City side having the majority of possession heading towards the half-time break in the Black Country.
The menacing Emiliano Buendia was on top form in the first period, yet his drilled shot was pushed past the post by Jose Sa, before Ollie Watkins was teed up by Jacob Ramsey via a cross - Villa's talisman directed his headed effort straight at the Wolves stopper.
Craig Dawson was the next of the hosts' backline to come up with a telling moment, moving well to slide in and block a shot from Buendia after the tricky Argentinian had bypassed the attention of Max Kilman.
Wolves did have the last noteworthy chance of the first half when Matheus Nunes picked out Diego Costa, with the former Chelsea chesting the ball down for Matheus Cunha, but the Brazilian's first-time attempt sailed over the bar.
Both managers opted to make no changes at half time and that led to a similar contest in the second period, with the visiting Villains pressing for an equaliser whilst Wolves looked to strike on the break.
Ashley Young was next to go close with a long-range effort for Emery's men at the hour mark - it was a smart corner routine involving John McGinn and Leon Bailey which allowed the former England international a chance to fire at goal.
A set-piece provided the visitors with arguably their best chance to level the game when Douglas Luiz floated the ball to Tyrone Mings in the box, but the centre-back was unable to keep his effort on target.
Wolves will be looking to build on Derby Day success when they travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United next Saturday, with Lopaetegui's men having the chance to go as high as 11th in the table.
Villa need to get back on track if they are to be featuring in European football next term - they welcome a managerless Tottenham Hotspur to Villa Park next weekend.
Carter White
