Wolves 2 Villa 3 - under-21s report

With so many players missing from Wolves' first team squad through injury, this under-21 clash with Villa felt like an audition.

And a few candidates for potential starring roles in the unpredictable, twisting drama that is Wolves' Championship campaign did their prospects no harm at all.

Chief among them, helpfully, were two forward players in Aaron Collins and Bright Enobakhare, with the latter setting up Wolves' first goal in what was a hugely entertaining 3-2 win for Villa.

With only Adam Le Fondre, Rajiv van La Parra, James Henry and Nathan Byrne ahead of them as options for attacking roles in the senior side, the teenagers both impressed in front of watching Wolves boss Kenny Jackett.

The last phrase that Wolves fans want to hear at the moment is 'ones for the future', with their club stockpiling on teenage talent (including, imminently, Hakeem Odofin from Barnet).

But Collins, who moved from League Two side Newport County last week, as well as Enobakhare, right back Aaron Simpson, returning loanee Liam McAlinden and centre half Aaron Hayden, made a very positive contribution to this fixture on a chilly evening in Telford.

As too did Hartlepool midfielder Brad Walker, on trial, who was a composed presence throughout in midfield, playing some excellent passes and almost scoring a fabulous goal.

He may be no youngster anymore but Tommy Rowe also will have impressed Jackett in a typically busy performance, capped off with a goal.

While most of the 210 spectators who braved the cold will have been looking forward to seeing what Wolves' new signing could do, the standout name on the teamsheet was a certain Jack Grealish, paying his penance after being publicly criticised by Remi Garde after last week's 2-0 FA Cup victory over Wycombe.

Grealish's body language was certainly questionable – as was one needlessly excessively tackle on Rowe – but when he turned the 'skill tap on, he shone.

His was the first shot of the game, ghosting past the Wolves midfield before testing McCarey from 25 yards.

McAlinden, back at Wolves from an unproductive loan at Shrewsbury Town, curled a cross to the back stick where Rowe volleyed over.

And then Villa took the lead on 20 minutes when Simpson was very harshly judged to have brought down Andre Green, with Grealish lashing home the penalty.

Collins wriggled free of Niall Mason before shooting from range, and then 10 minutes after going behind Wolves were level.

Enobakhare danced his way to the byline and drove a low cross that Mason turned past his own goalkeeper.

Grealish almost restored the lead minutes later, careering into the box and round McCarey, but Hayden was alert to the danger and pushed him wide before he could tap into an empty net.

Collins backheeled nicely for McAlinden to curl over as Wolves ended the half on top.

Scott Sellars' side dominated the early stages of the second half, with French left-back Sylvain Deslandes seeing a goalbound shot blocked from a corner.

And then Walker produced a magical moment when he skipped past two players and drove a left-footed shot just past the post from 18 yards.

Rowe had a dangerous shot blocked and Enobakhare curled an excellent effort wide from 20 yards.

But with 14 minutes left Villa scored against the run of play when Jerell Sellars turned home Lewis Kinsella's cross.

Wolves almost responded instantly through that man Collins who ran through on goal and chipped inches past the post under pressure from keeper Matija Sarkic.

A deserved equaliser came three minutes from the end through Rowe, who drove low into the corner from 18 yards.

Incredibly there was still time for a winner, with Sellars in the right place to turn home after superb work from Grealish in the build-up as Villa edged a thoroughly entertaining encounter at New Bucks Head.

Wolves (4-2-3-1): McCarey; Simpson (Upton, 76), Hayden, Carter, Deslandes; Walker, Rainey (Ismail, 63); McAlinden, Enobakhare, Rowe; Collins (Hunte, 88). Subs: Weeks, Wilson.

Goals: Mason (OG, 29), Rowe (87)

Villa (4-2-3-1): Sarkic; Webb, Mason, Suliman, Kinsella; Lyden, Calder; Blackett-Taylor (Hale, 63), Grealish, Green (Abdo, 73); Sellars. Subs: Toner, Idem, Cowans.

Goals: Grealish (pen, 20), Sellars (77, 90+1)

Attendance: 210