Wolves v Villa preview: Opportunity knocks in West Midlands derby battle

The latest instalment of the West Midlands derby is expected to have the same intense atmosphere and rivalry as previous years, but for Wolves this particular meeting has a lot more riding on it.

Local bragging rights are always up for grabs and Wolves fans would love nothing more than to go into work on Monday morning with a spring in their step, but this club has a much bigger target as they fight to stay in the Premier League.

Results elsewhere mean Wolves are back in the relegation zone and are starting to be cut adrift as a bottom four, as they are embroiled in a scrap with the three promoted teams.

One win could drag them closer to Everton and the teams above them and Wolves must address their recent slide to keep them in the mix.

Wolves have been here before when Julen Lopetegui was appointed in late 2022 to keep the club in the top flight, with them rock bottom of the table.

His first Premier League game was a late 2-1 win at Everton and in his first seven league games he picked up 13 points.

Wolves were relatively consistent in the months that followed and despite some poor results - like the 6-0 battering at Brighton and the 5-0 loss at Arsenal - they eventually finished 13th.

Vitor Pereira arrived in December with the same task and has also now had seven games to get to grips with the Premier League.