Strand Larsen has had 24 shots on target across his 23 Premier League appearances this season (1.17 per 90) resulting in 7 goals for the Wolves forward.

Wolves have actually been quite consistent in the attacking department despite hovering above the relegation zone, it is their defence which has let them down this season. Only Brentford have scored more goals in the bottom half of the Premier League (42) than the 32 Wolves have managed this campaign whilst averaging 4.3 shots on target per game.

Larsen had 2 shots in the initial meeting between the sides at Villa Park with 1 of these attempts finding the target. Wolves usually carry an attacking threat as evidenced by the fact they’ve had at least 3 shots on target in each of their last 5 Premier League matches.

With Jhon Duran’s departure to Saudi Arabia imminent, Ollie Watkins will have a more secure place as Villa’s number 1 striker after a period of rotation between the pair. Watkins is averaging 1.57 shots on target per 90 across his 23 Premier League appearances this season resulting in 10 goals for the 29-year-old.

Watkins found the back of the net from 2 shots on target in Villa’s 3-1 win over Wolves at Villa Park earlier in the season, Unai Emery’s side had 4 shots on target overall. They should be able to post similar numbers here against the 2nd-most vulnerable defence in the Premier League.

Watkins has had at least 2+ shots in each of his last 5 Premier League matches, this record suggests that he usually gets enough service for a few sights of goal per game and enters this 1 in good form having scored against Celtic in the Champions League during the week.

Cunha pops up in pretty much every single metric for Wolves, he is crucial to everything they do, especially in the attacking third but his foul numbers this season are also promising, as are Wolves’ on the whole.

Cunha has committed 28 fouls across his 22 Premier League appearances this season (1.41 per 90), this record is largely informed by his overexuberance in his challenges and frustration when Wolves are struggling, as they have done in many games this season reflecting their current position in the league table.

Cunha committed 3 fouls from 16 duels in the initial meeting between these sides at Villa Park, he lost 11 of these duels which was the highest total of any player on the pitch. Wolves are averaging 13.2 fouls committed per game in the Premier League and committed 9 to Villa’s 4 in the initial meeting.

Tielemans has won 38 fouls across his 23 Premier League appearances this season (1.75 per 90). Tielemans is incredibly good at shielding the ball and protecting it from the opposition press, which could be intense here with Wolves chasing a result to take them away from the threat of relegation.

Tielemans was fouled 3 times in the initial meeting between the sides, we should see similar numbers here as Wolves’ foul record in the Premier League suggests (13.2 per game).

Villa are also pretty proficient at winning fouls themselves, Unai Emery’s side have drawn 9+ fouls from their opponents in each of their last 5 Premier League games with this number rising to 11 in 4 of these encounters. Tielemans has won at least 1 foul in 4 of his last 5 Premier League matches.

If Wolves are to drag themselves away from the relegation battle, Cunha will be crucial. He’s registered 14 goal contributions across his 22 Premier League appearances (10 goals, 4 assists) – topping Wolves’ goalscorer rankings and second in assists behind Rayan Ait-Nouri (5).

Cunha scored in the initial meeting between these sides at Villa Park and is on penalties for Wolves, offering another route to goal for Vitor Pereira’s star man. Cunha also created the most chances of any player on the pitch (3), further evidencing the threat he can pose to any Premier League side.

Aston Villa are without a clean sheet in their last 4 games in all competitions and have suffered from a European hangover in the majority of weeks following an assignment in the Champions League. Wolves can get some attacking joy against what could be a tired Villa side with Cunha the main man to make a difference.

In the absence of Joao Gomes due to suspension, Andre stands out as a player that could be in the wars in this game. Andre has been shown 3 yellow cards across his 18 Premier League appearances this season which doesn’t quite reflect his foul numbers (1.32 fouls committed per 90).

This could be set to increase here against an Aston Villa side that are very good at drawing fouls from their opponents, they’ve won at least 11 fouls in 4 of their last 5 Premier League matches. Andre has committed at least 1 foul in each of his last 5 Premier League appearances.

Andre will be up against Youri Tielemans who is averaging 1.75 fouls won per 90 across his 23 Premier League appearances this season. He’ll also have to contend with Morgan Rogers striding through central areas, Rogers is averaging 1.49 fouls won per 90 across his 22 Premier League appearances this campaign.

Cunha has won 43 fouls across his 22 Premier League appearances this season (2.17 per 90) – more than any other Wolves player. As Wolves’ main attacking threat, Cunha is targeted by the opposition that don’t often have many ways of stopping him other than hauling him to the ground.

Cunha was fouled 3 times in the initial meeting between the sides, to add some context – Villa only committed 4 fouls in the game showing how much of a threat he can pose and how much of the opposition plan is centered around keeping him quiet.

Cunha has won at least 1 foul in each of his last 5 Premier League appearances with 2+ landing in 4 of these games. He’ll be up against Boubakar Kamara who is averaging 1.52 fouls committed per 90 across his 14 Premier League appearances this season.

Only Bournemouth are committing more fouls per game (13.4) than the 13.2 Wolves are committing per game in the Premier League this season. This record is largely informed by frustration and a lack of defensive organisation which leads to Wolves players giving away cheap fouls to stop an immediate threat to their goal.

Aston Villa have been quite proficient in winning fouls themselves this season, Unai Emery’s side have drawn 11+ fouls from their opposition in 4 of their last 5 Premier League games, we can expect this number to increase with the context of this game and Wolves’ high foul rate considered.