Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa. Premier League.
Molineux.
Ross Barkley is making progress but won't be fit for Midlands derby; follow Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa with our live blog on Sky Sports website and app; watch free match highlights shortly after full-time on Sky Sports' digital platforms and YouTube channel
Saturday 12 December 2020 11:29, UK
Team news and stats ahead of Wolves vs Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday (kick-off 12.30pm).
Wolves take on Aston Villa still waiting on a timeframe for when Raul Jimenez can return from a fractured skull suffered earlier this month.
The striker is out of hospital after surgery and visited the club's training ground this week having suffered the injury in a clash of heads with David Luiz at Arsenal.
Wing-back Jonny remains sidelined with the serious knee injury he sustained at the end of last season.
Ross Barkley is making progress in his recovery from injury but the Villa midfielder will not be fit in time for the trip to Molineux.
The 27-year-old, on a season-long loan from Chelsea, suffered a hamstring injury early in the home defeat to Brighton last month but defender Bjorn Engels is back in contention after a long lay-off with a thigh injury.
The game is likely to come too soon for Keinan Davis (ankle) but Tom Heaton is closing in on a return having been out since January with a serious knee injury although Wesley (knee) remains sidelined until next year.
Follow Wolves vs Aston Villa in our dedicated live match blog. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
Expect fireworks down one side of the pitch in this one. It's the Adama Traore vs Jack Grealish show.
Wolves' recent switch to a back four is allowing much more service into Traore down their right side - his influence is starting to rise again, ably supported by full-back Nelson Semedo, whose pace and direct dribbling creates a nice dovetail with Traore when given space to attack.
Villa should provide them with that platform to play on the counter as Matt Targett at full-back is usually left quite exposed with the excellent Grealish given licence to do his thing down that side. Dean Smith's side are the most improved team in the Premier League this season and know how to win away. However, it's hard to back a Villa success though due to Wolves' very consistent record at playing non 'big six' teams at Molineux. They haven't lost in their 23 fixtures against teams of such definition, winning 13 and drawing 10.
Whoever out of Grealish or Traore manages to find the better quality with their final ball will probably decide which way this one goes.
I'm happy to keep the draw on side.
JONES KNOWS PREDICTS: 1-1 (11/2 with Sky Bet)
This week on the Pitch to Post Preview Podcast, Peter Smith is joined by Sky Sports News reporters James Cooper and Ben Ransom to discuss the Manchester derby, including whether David de Gea will be dropped, why John Stones is back in the City side, and how it could all play out.
Their colleague Michael Bridge is on the line to discuss Crystal Palace vs table-toppers Tottenham, plus Sky Sports Data Editor Adam Smith has the numbers behind Arsenal's attack and Liverpool's strength in depth - as well as his Pitch for what will happen in the Premier League this weekend!
Listen to the Sky Sports Pitch to Post Podcast on: Spotify | Apple | Castbox