Fans revel in derby victory after Wolves beat Aston Villa

Chris Hughes

What's your verdict on the match? A derby-day win against a side we haven't beaten at home since before I was born accompanied by our first home clean sheet & first goal by a striker since August. They say good things come in threes!

Make no mistake, we've played much much better than this in games this season and still come away with nothing to show for our efforts. However it seems that Lambert has instilled a belief and will to win in the team that leaves us hanging on in the fight to see our games in a way that we couldn't under Zenga.

For the second week in a row there was bemusement at the team-sheet before the game, with many questioning the absence of Williamson, but Lambert's faith in the defence that started at Sheffield Wednesday paid off with their second - and the team's third - consecutive clean sheet.

The highlight of the game was having the visiting Villa fans in the North Bank quadrant, in close enough proximity for 90 minutes of entertainment, and being able to joyously celebrate both the goal and final whistle right in front of them.

Our good form has coincided with Mr Cockburn being on the other side of the world. I'd urge all fans to back the #StayAwayRuss movement for the good of the club

Who played well - and who didn't impress? A fairly solid performance throughout the side with few to be singled out as non-performers.

Standouts for me were Doherty and Stearman, who were terrific against everything thrown at them. I'll also give credit to Edwards for a much more disciplined performance than usual alongside Price in midfield.

While others celebrate Edwards' goalscoring exploits in high scoring draws or defeats, I much prefer him to sit as he did yesterday and ensure we're a much more solid unit and harder to break down defensively.

I thought Batth also played to a higher standard than in recent games. He was still wayward at times with distribution and lost his man a handful of times but overall there were far less hairy moments than usual.

Heather Large

What's your verdict on the match? I don't think we will forget this match for a long time - what a win!

I thought we played very well and it was great to see the confidence amongst the players with many upping their game.

It never felt like we were in any real danger although there were a few nervy moments as passes went awry.

I may have said at full-time that it seemed like a long 75 minutes after we scored but Villa never really threatened the goal and every ball was dealt with effectively by our defence.

It was also nice to see the return of the Dicko we all know and love - just need the goals now.

Three points, a clean sheet and we beat Villa - I'm a happy Wolves fan.

Who played well - and who didn't impress? Every player can be pleased with their performance, it was a great team effort and no one had a bad game.

It was fantastic to see how much the win means to them too. Roll on the next match!

Rob Cartwright

What's your verdict on the match?

This wasn't a classic by any stretch of the imagination, but don't we love a win against our local rivals? The atmosphere inside Molineux was as good as we've experienced in a long while - it's always better when the away fans come in large numbers.

It's also great to see the players celebrating, as a team, with the fans at the end.

Wolves started strongly and were on top for much of the first half. We capitalised on 15 minutes following some great play between Costa and Dicko. Mason was well placed to score from the rebound.

Jedinak led with his arm challenging Edwards and I thought it was worthy of a card, at the time. Good on Doherty for leaving his mark, in return, while Edwards was off the pitch receiving treatment.

We switched off for around 15 minutes towards the end of the first half, which gave Villa hope of a comeback. This did not materialise though and they offered very little threat in the second half.

Although we were never 'comfortable' it was Wolves who created any further chances to score.

Things are stirring around Molineux, in a positive way. Lambert must be working some magic on the training ground. We are looking well organised and I can't get over these consecutive clean sheets. If only we could get the strikers firing!

Who played well - and who didn't impress? Batth and Stearman looked very solid in defence, except for one occasion when McCormack should really have scored with a free header, after 27 minutes.

Mason and Costa were the pick of the forward players. Cavaleiro had an off day and was rightly replaced on 63 minutes.

Dicko ran his socks off and his general contribution was very good, but how he needs a goal. He tended to snatch at the few chances that he had after getting into good positions.

Man of the match was a close call between Stearman and Price who both were fabulous in the second half particularly. I'm going for Stearman, who got stronger and stronger as the game went on. He seemed to block, head, clear and tackle everything that was in front of him.

All in all, a very determined team effort with plenty of desire on show from Wolves.

Peter Abbott (London Wolves)

What's your verdict on the match? A growing strength and togetherness shone through. An excellent three points taken from a pretty poor Villa side who certainly didn't seem to be pulling for their manager anything like as much as this Wolves team are all behind Lambert.

Yes, fans were bemoaning no Williamson before kick off but who could really fault the defence, with Coady outstanding?

Ikeme really didn't have much to do and Villa's only chance came when McCormack should have scored his header.

The midfield duo, be it Price with Edwards or sub Saville, made a few minor slips at times but were under no great pressure.

Costa and sub Bodvarsson were full of running and always searching for that crucial opportunity. Cavaleiro slowed up after a promising start to the game, maybe still feeling his injury. And what of sub Enobakhare? Outstanding in his few minutes.

Our first home league win against the Villa in almost 38 years was welcomed with a crescendo of noise at the finish. Not many had left this one early!

Who played well - and who didn't impress? I thought Joe Mason had as good a game as he has done since signing a year ago and at last, a striker turned scorer. Plus, to set up his goal, a lovely pull back from Dicko.

Russ Evers (Hatherton Wolves)

What's your verdict on the match? A fitting tribute from both sets of fans for the passing of an old school gentleman, Graham Taylor.

The game was a typical local derby - not too many chances but full commitment in every tackle and saving block.

I cant remember Carl Ikeme having to take a goal kick let alone make a save, such was the error-free determination displayed by the back four.

Not that I hold a grudge...but that win was payback for Nigel Spink trying to take Bully's head off nearly 30 years ago.

Bully won that battle and we won the battle yesterday. The Sunday hangover made easier with Sandwell, Small Heath and Vile failing to score but Joe Mason succeeding.

Who played well - and who didn't impress? Matt Doherty had a stormer especially going forward.

The substitutions were made at the right time and Bodvarsson proved a right handful for the Villa defence.