Aston Villa 2 Wolves 1: Villains captain Elmohamady the hero as Dean Smith’s men march into Carabao Cup quarter-finals
ASTON VILLA booked their place in the League Cup quarter finals for the first time since 2012-13 – and they managed it without Jack Grealish to inspire them.
However there must be something special about the captain’s armband because in his absence Ahmed Elmohamady took on the job – and promptly grabbed the winner.
The Egyptian full-back popped up in the box to force home Henri Lansbury’s second half free kick and leave Wolves youthful team crying all the way home.
It was Elmo’s first goal for Villa in over a year but it earned Dean Smith’s side a deserved win.
The last time they beat Wolves at Villa Park in this competition, thanks to a Tommy Johnson goal, they went on to win it in 1996!
Man City and the rest – you have been warned.
Wolves arrived at Villa Park on the back of an impressive eight-match unbeaten run.
However in truth this was more of a battle between two tribute acts, as Nuno Espirito Santo made an astonishing ELEVEN changes to wipe out his entire team from Sunday’s draw at Newcastle.
Meanwhile Villa boss Dean Smith was much more cautious and settled for a mere nine changes to the team beaten 3-0 at Manchester City on Saturday, with Brazilian Douglas Luiz and Trezeguet the pair trusted to go again.
It’s sad that two great clubs so desperate for silverware should have to resort to this.
FRESH-FACED CUBS
But this was Wolves’ 21st game of the season – eight more than their opponents – so if the blame lies anywhere it is in a crazy fixture list which shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
At least Wolves were able to blood some of their fresh-faced cubs.
Winger Chem Campbell become the club’s second-youngest debutant of all time at the tender age of age of 16.
Meanwhile 19-year-old forward Dion Sanderson made his first competitive start and 18-year-old midfielder Taylor Perry his second.
It didn’t come as a great surprise therefore when Villa dominated the early stages as Wolves kids’ tottered around trying to find their feet.
Ryan Bennett did well to slide in and block Trezeguet’s shot after Conor Hourihane played him in with a delightful ball.
Then Villa’s Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz sent a knuckle-ball dipping narrowly over from the edge of the box after Villa worked a cute corner kick routine.
Wolves had only had one ambitious attempt, from Chem Campbell which flew well wide, when Villa broke the deadlock just before the half hour.
Conor Hourihane’s cross was headed out by Max Kilman who then thought it was a good idea to chase down his own clearance.
It wasn’t!
Henri Lansbury saw him coming and threaded through a stunning through ball which sliced through two Wolves defenders and Anwar El Ghazi burst through to squeeze his shot under John Ruddy which crept over the line.
Lansbury’s pass was so good the stadium announcer really should have name-checked the midfielder rather than El Ghazi when he screamed out the identity of the scorer!
Wolves tried to respond when Neto paced out his steps like a rugby penalty taker as he set himself up for a free kick.
However he duly converted – sending his attempt high over the bar!
CUT FINISH
Villa continued to dominate after the break but it was Wolves who silenced the home fans by equalising out of nowhere nine minutes after the restart.
Youngster Perry robbed Douglas Luiz of possession and worked a 1-2 with Cutrone before firing in an angled shot.
Jed Steer thought he had it covered until Cutrone flashed a boot to deflect it beyond the startled keeper to level the tie.
Wolves needed to keep it tight – but could only hold out for two and a half minutes before they trailed again.
Lansbury was the provider again with a wicked low free kick which sped towards the six yard box, where Elmohamady charged in to nick the ball in front of Jordao and send it spinning beyond Ruddy.
It was the Egyptian’s first goal for Villa since he scored against Reading in the Championship in August 2018.
Wolves tried to hit back and Cutrone had their best chance when he burst on to a misplaced Neil Taylor pass and raced through on goal.
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But Jed Steer sped off his line to block the Italian.
Lansbury then fluffed the chance to kill the game stone dead when he sent a header wide from six yards when it seemed impossible to miss.
But it didn’t matter in the end.