Wolves v Aston Villa preview

23 October 2009 10:30
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Wolves look to notch their second home win against Midlands rivals Aston Villa at Molineux, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1.[LNB] It's been a troubled build-up to Saturday's derby tie for Mick McCarthy's side who have notched just two Premier League wins to date.[LNB]Since beating Fulham on home soil in mid-September they have lost to both Sunderland and lowly Portsmouth.[LNB]They did, however, improve somewhat last time out when securing a point on their travels to Everton.[LNB]Their Premier League status doesn't make for good reading, with just eight points from nine games so far - they sit fifth-bottom of the top-flight table.[LNB]And they'll have it all to do against a Villa side who will be on a high having beaten Chelsea last time out.[LNB]Martin O'Neill's side really upset the applecart last week when they beat Carlo Ancelotti's side 2-1 at Villa Park.[LNB]The Villans had to come from behind having conceded early on, but they did so in superb fashion with Richard Dunne and James Collins cancelling out Didier Drogba's opener to seal a crucial three points against the title hopefuls.[LNB]Their only defeat in seven Premier League outings came at Ewood Park in September when they lost to Blackburn 2-1.[LNB]That stands as a small scratch on an otherwise superb record for the visitors who have risen to sixth position in the league table - just six points off Manchester United in top spot with a game in hand.[LNB]Villa claimed their first derby scalp when beating Birmingham at St Andrews earlier in the season and a second derby success could see them move as high as third position in the league table. [LNB]Team newsWolves will be without suspended striker Stefan Maierhofer for the visit of Villa.[LNB]David Jones, Andrew Surman and Stephen Ward are all struggling with knee injuries and are expected to miss out.[LNB]Striker Chris Iwelumo and defender Richard Stearman made their comeback for the reserves this week and will face late fitness tests ahead of Saturday's tie.[LNB]Villa will be without Curtis Davies for the trip to Molineux, with the centre-back out with a shoulder problem.[LNB]Full-back Luke Young will be pressing for a starting berth having missed out on his return from injury against Chelsea.[LNB]Gabriel Agbonlahor and John Carew should retain their partnership up front, with Emile Heskey likely having to settle for a place on the bench once again.[LNB]Stewart Downing remains a long-term absentee as he continues to recover from a foot injury.[LNB]Possible starting XlsWolves: Hennessey, Zubar, Berra, Craddock, Elokobi, Kightly, Edwards, Henry, Halford, Doyle, Ebanks-Blake[LNB]Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Warnock, Petrov, Milner, Sidwell, Ashley Young, Carew, Agbonlahor[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports