Although left disappointed to see his Wolves side pegged back at home to Aston Villa, Gary O’Neil admitted it was a good point to have claimed after spending the final 10 minutes with 10 men.
Mario Lemina was dismissed for a second yellow in added time following a sixth goal of the season for Hee Chan Hwang as he put Wolves ahead when he latched onto Pedro Neto’s cross – his fifth assist of the campaign – but despite Pau Torres equalising just two minutes later, the head coach felt his side were well in control and were more likely to win the game if they remained with 11 players.
On taking a point against Villa
“I thought it was a decent game, both teams were fairly evenly matched, and I felt that once we weathered the storm at the start, where Sa had to make a couple of saves, I didn’t really feel our goal was under any massive threat, so I was a little bit disappointed with the draw, especially when you go 1-0 up and we were in a good spot, controlling the opposition game-wise.
“I didn’t think we were in any danger – there was obviously a bit early, where we needed to get to grips and Sa needed to make a couple of saves. After that, second half I don’t remember Sa going much.
“We had two chances – Sasa’s lovely cross for Pedro, a big chance across the face, then Pedro’s cut back for Sasa, another big chance. I didn’t feel like our goal was under any threat when it was 11v11 and I thought we were causing Aston Villa some problems.
“We were the ones looking more likely [to score] and had decent control until the sending off. Then we were hanging on. But it was a good point against a good side.”
Another point on the board as we head into the international break ➕1️⃣
— Wolves (@Wolves) October 8, 2023
Thank you for your fantastic support this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/JGU240SSXs
On changes to the game plan
“It was different [than against Man City], we had more time with the ball, more opportunities to try to progress up the pitch and get the back three into decent shape and then try and threaten in behind.
“There’s some good bits in it and bits that we should have done better, but as an overall, they tried to implement the game plan and did it the best they could.
“I thought out of possession we were solid, not too many moments where you felt Aston Villa managed to stretch us, maybe one or two. Obviously, we were a bit fortunate at the end, when we were down to ten, and I think we played 14 minutes, so a long time to try and keep them at bay and we did.”
On Lemina’s sending off
“I can’t remember the first one, but the second one you expect a yellow. I feel for Mario a bit because we’d gone and pressed unnecessary and leave him in a spot he shouldn’t be in. Then he’s got a decision to make, whether he lets the guy run through or whether he tries to stop the attack, so it leaves him in a tricky spot.
“Of course, the better thing would have been to let them attack, and he knows he shouldn’t do it – he needs understand he’s on a yellow and we need him – but I understand. I’ve been there.
“It was the wrong decision, but I thought he was excellent in the game. Very good. But we’re obviously disappointed because it’s a big game in a couple of weeks and we’ll lose him. I’m disappointed to lose Mario, but up until that point I felt the lads were very good.”
On Neto and Hwang’s partnership
“They’ve been really good. Pedro was excellent – he’s plays a big part in the goal. He’s been fantastic for us. He’s a big threat and the reason we put him that side again today was that we thought he could cause more problems that side than down this side up against Konsa. He was excellent.
“Channy knows to arrive at the goal. We’ve worked lot with him, and he’s obviously got, he’s obviously got a lovely knack himself, but we’ve worked lot on making sure we arrive with bodies in the goal.
“I think we’ve scored in every game now [since the first day], so for a team which was struggling to score last year, it’s good. We need to keep that going, getting the lads to understand the processes as well as we can and keep progressing.
“But I felt there were some real good performances across the pitch. The back three of Max, [Kilman] Daws [Craig Dawson] and Toti were great again, we were forced into a change with Rayan [Ait-Nouri] and Doc [Matt Doherty] came on and did well.”
On eight points from eight games
“The points return is good for the fixtures we’ve had. They’ve been so tough. The home games, Brighton, Liverpool, Man City, Villa, they’re all in the top five.
“To have to play them at home and then obviously every away game is difficult in the Premier League – even going to Luton, you can see how difficult it is from Spurs yesterday.
“But in general, we’re in a good spot, points return-wise, and the last two games have looked a lot more how we’ve prepped for, so points are one thing, but it’s important for me to see the team progress into what I want them to be at this point of the season.
“There’s progression, but lots of work still to go.”
