Aston Villa vs Wolves Prediction: Malen can drive Villans’ derby win

Rob Edwards didn't get much change out of Crystal Palace in his first match in charge at Wolves, and it looks set to be an equally fruitless exercise on his first road trip with the Old Gold when they travel to high-flying Aston Villa on Sunday (14:05 GMT, Sky Sports Premier League).

Below you can find my Aston Villa vs Wolves predictions, along with the latest team and match odds.

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Team News

Tyrone Mings has suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring issue and looks set to be sidelined for Villa for the rest of the calendar year.

Emiliano Buendia's place is under threat with Donyell Malen impressing off the bench against Leeds before scoring twice against Young Boys on Thursday.

Football Odds

Matt Doherty has returned to training for Wolves following a knee injury, but Sunday's game may come a little too soon, while Rodrigo Gomes is not likely to be seen again until 2026 due to a groin problem.

Dan Bentley (ankle) and Leon Chiwome (knee) are also sidelined.

Aston Villa vs Wolves Odds

Aston Villa are strong favourites to maintain their top-four push at 1/2, while Wolves are on offer at 6/1 to register their first league win of the season on Sunday, with the draw at 10/3.

Over 2.5 goals is priced at 4/5 with under that mark at 1/1, while at least one clean sheet is favoured at 4/5.

Aston Villa -1 Handicap @ 7/5

Villa have consigned their slow start to distant memory and are one of the form teams in the top-flight, winning six of their last seven games to climb to fourth in the table, only two points behind Chelsea in second.

It could have been seven given Liverpool's horror slump, but Unai Emery's men have still beaten Manchester City, Bournemouth and Tottenham in that run and are strong favourites to threaten second spot with a win in this West Midlands derby.

It has been a dismal season for Wolves up to this point, failing to win any of their opening 12 games, with a measly two points claimed, meaning they are already nine points off safety.

The Old Gold have the worst attack in the Premier League with seven goals scored, only one of which has come on the road, while they also have the most porous defence after conceding 27.

It is tough to make any kind of case for an upset, even in a derby, with Villa's European distractions perhaps the one tiny fly in the ointment.

Still, Wolves aren't in a position to capitalise as they simply cannot score, particularly on the road, going down by an aggregate 8-0 in their three road trips since a surprise 1-1 draw at Spurs.

Vila won this fixture 3-1 last season and 2-0 in 2024, and they can win a third on the bounce with something to spare.

Today's Football Fixtures

Donyell Malen to score anytime @ 7/5

Malen has perhaps taken his time to make an impact at Villa Park, and there is no guarantee that he starts on Sunday, but his recent form has certainly been impressive.

The Dutch flyer turned the game in Villa's favour when introduced at the break at Leeds last weekend, before capitalising with a brace when starting on Thursday.

Malen has, in fact. now scored four goals in his last four appearances for the Villans, having notched against Maccabi Tel Aviv and in the 4-0 rout of Bournemouth in the last home league game.

He should be full of confidence and can make another big impact against hapless Wolves.