Preview

Data Analysis

Lineups

Live Text Updates

Match Report

Reaction

 

Julen Lopetegui says that his Wolverhampton Wanderers side are "in a good way" despite only earning a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

Julen Lopetegui has suggested that he will take the positives from Wolverhampton Wanderers' 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

The former Sevilla boss has enjoyed a mixed start to life at Molineux, Wolves claiming a last-gasp win over Everton on Boxing Day before losing in a tight match with Manchester United on New Year's Eve.

For large periods against Villa on Wednesday night, it appeared as though Wolves would make it two Premier League wins in three outings after an early goal from Daniel Podence.

However, Villa were able to equalise 11 minutes from time as Danny Ings came off the substitute' bench to get his side back on level terms, handing them the momentum in the closing stages.

The home side could have taken maximum points in the final seconds of the game, only for Leon Bailey to fail to hit the target after rounding Jose Sa.

While acknowledging that Wolves had their own chances to leave Villa Park with three points, Lopetegui instead preferred to be satisfied with a share of the spoils against their West Midlands rivals.

Speaking to BBC Sport, the Spaniard said: "We have fought for the three points and we came very close.

"In the second half we maybe have problems because we made a big effort in the first half. We didn't have a lot of options in midfield and in the end it is a pity.

"In the end they pushed a lot and in the end they had a clear chance with Leon Bailey in the last minute, but we had chances to close the match. I prefer to be positive, against a big team like Aston Villa.

"It's a derby and we want to win for our fans because we need three points, we are in a bad position in the table but I know it will be a hard and long race. At the same time, I think we are in a good way."

Wolves now sit one point adrift of safety and their next Premier League fixture is at home to 17th-placed West Ham United on January 14.

Lopetegui's side will first face Liverpool in the FA Cup third round on Saturday before they square off versus Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup quarter-finals four days later. body check tags ::

amp_article__503455 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 

last updated article - 2023-01-04 23:50:20: 

html db last update  - 2023-01-04 22:13:08 : 


ex  - 7200 : read : write cache and make html