Matheus Cunha celebrated passionately in front of the Jack Hayward Stand after Wolves secured a vital victory over Aston Villa. Pulling at the club crest, kissing it, and mimicking a signature to the crowd, the Brazilian forward left little doubt about his commitment. Later that night, Wolves confirmed his contract renewal until 2029, making him their highest-paid player with a release clause set to activate in June.
Head coach Vítor Pereira reinforced Cunha’s message, praising the forward’s commitment while acknowledging his potential to play for bigger clubs in the future. However, he emphasized the importance of leaving Wolves in the Premier League if he ever moves on. Pereira expressed pride in his team’s performance, which lifted them out of the relegation zone and ended a four-game losing streak.
Cunha capped off the win with a brilliant second goal in added time. Carrying the ball from deep inside his own half, he initially seemed to be waiting for support before shifting the ball and curling a precise shot past Emiliano Martínez. It was a moment of composure and skill that underlined the resilience Wolves displayed throughout the match.
For Villa, the defeat continued their recent struggles in the league. Ollie Watkins was among four players withdrawn at halftime, with Unai Emery later revealing the striker was carrying an injury. With Marcus Rashford being lined up for a loan move and a push for Marco Asensio also underway, the need for reinforcements in attack has become more pressing for Emery.
Villa’s fatigue was evident after their midweek Champions League match. Their struggles to maintain form after European fixtures have been a recurring theme, with just one league win following such games this season. The high intensity of this match appeared to be too much for them.
Wolves, on the other hand, were sharper and more determined. Their opening goal in the 12th minute was a product of fluid teamwork. After building play down the left, the ball reached Cunha, who quickly found Gonçalo Guedes. A slick pass to Pablo Sarabia followed, with the Spaniard spotting Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s run and threading a ball inside Lucas Digne. Bellegarde opted for a near-post strike rather than cutting it back, beating Martínez with a precise finish.
Villa struggled to gain a foothold in the game. At halftime, Emery made sweeping changes, which briefly brought an improvement. Seven minutes after the restart, substitute Donyell Malen found the net following a well-worked set piece, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Morgan Rogers was deemed to have impeded Nélson Semedo in the buildup, a controversial decision that divided opinion.
Despite their second-half push, Villa couldn’t break Wolves down. Emery acknowledged his side’s struggles to maintain consistency after European matches and stressed the need for balance, admitting that his team lacked the resources of the league’s elite. However, for Wolves, this was a night to savor, with Cunha’s brilliance and renewed commitment offering fresh hope for their survival battle.
