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Rob Edwards pre match press conference: Wolves v Aston Villa
WATCH FOR DAVE'S REVIEW AND THOUGHTS OF ROB EDWARDS WOLVES V VILLA PRESS CONFERENCE
Rob Edwards previews Wolves v Aston Villa at Molineux, backs his player after racist abuse, reflects on Crystal Palace frustration, shares team news, and calls for derby passion under the lights.
Wolves head coach Rob Edwards spoke to the media ahead of Friday night’s Midlands derby at Molineux. He covered the racist abuse aimed at one of his players, the frustration after the Crystal Palace defeat, and what he wants to see from Wolves against an in form Aston Villa side.
Here are the main talking points.
Strong backing for TOLU AROKODARE targeted by racist abuse
Edwards confirmed it has been a “really difficult week” for the player who received racist abuse online. He said the player was “upset and angered” by it, which he described as totally understandable.
He explained Wolves have supported him in private chats and as a squad, and that the player has also received “overwhelming support” from Wolves fans and others. Edwards also confirmed the Premier League has been in touch, and that a police statement will be taken in the coming days.
His biggest frustration was how familiar this has become in football.
He said it is happening far too often.
He noted many players say they have dealt with it before, which he called “really tough to hear”.
He added that it is likely to happen again in the future, which he said is “so, so wrong”.
Edwards also confirmed the player is fit, has trained this week, and is in a good place to be involved. He said the Molineux crowd can help by showing love and support, including singing the player’s name.
Palace result hurt, but he liked a lot about the performance
Edwards said the Crystal Palace match included “a lot to like” in Wolves’ play, both with and without the ball. But he was clear the outcome was not good enough, especially given the match situation.
He pointed to key moments that decided it:
The period just before half time.
The sending off, after which Wolves had about half an hour against 10 men.
A late moment where Wolves were “a yard away” from stopping the goal and taking something from the game.
In short, he liked the level, but not the lack of reward.
Dressing room anger, but no lingering negativity
Asked about frustration in the group, Edwards said the emotion after Palace was real. He described the dressing room as full of passion and anger, but said the staff “quite liked it” once they reflected on it the next day.
His view was simple: that reaction shows the players care and want to put things right. He does not feel the frustration is hanging around in a harmful way.
He also reminded everyone that before Palace, Wolves had a recent run with some points on the board, so it is not a situation where there have been no rewards at all.
What Wolves must do against Villa
Edwards expects a tough test. He praised Villa as a top side with a top manager and said they are clinical and can hurt teams in different ways, especially on the counter attack.
He highlighted a few key needs for Wolves:
Decision making and discipline in big moments.
Respect Villa’s quality, especially in transition.
Bring passion as well as structure, because it is a derby.
Start fast and try to create an atmosphere like the second half against Arsenal at Molineux, when the energy “was brilliant”.
He also said Wolves have shown they can drop from a high press into a lower block well in recent months, even if it is not perfect.
Squad and injury updates
Edwards’ main team news points:
Hee-Chan Hwang has trained well, but tomorrow is likely too soon, with a return targeted for next week.
Krejci is suspended
No other major new issues.
He confirmed Angel Gomes who came off late against Palace has a back that is “a lot better” and is fine.
Joao Gomes who missed the Arsenal match was not fit then, but is now back and feeling good.
Villa changes and striker preparation
Edwards said Villa’s personnel may change, but their clear style remains. He noted different midfield options bring different qualities, and he mentioned Villa have strong players returning.
Up front, he said Wolves will prepare for either Ollie Watkins or Tammy Abraham, and possibly both, calling them different types of striker but equally dangerous.
Reflections on the first Villa game and belief Wolves can compete
Looking back at the earlier match at Villa Park, Edwards said it was a good performance that gave Wolves belief they can compete with top teams, even if the result did not go their way.
He also stressed Wolves cannot afford to look too far ahead, despite an “exciting week” of three home games in seven days (two Premier League games and an FA Cup tie). His focus is fully on Villa first.
On the sending off and penalties: lessons learned
Edwards revisited the Palace red card and suggested, after watching it back, the first booking was “incredibly harsh” in his view. He said the second came quickly, and the player insisted he did not hear the whistle.
On the penalty situation, Edwards said internal conversations have happened and fans will see what changes going forward, but he wants details to stay in house. He defended the player’s confidence to step up, while accepting misses happen.
The mood: “It has to look like it matters”
Edwards finished with a clear message about motivation and pride. He said Premier League games should never be hard to get up for, whatever the league situation. He also said players are always playing for something, whether that is their future at the club, a move, or international ambitions.
Most of all, he wants Wolves to show fight, emotion, and purpose in a derby under the lights.
WOLVES V ASTON VILLA PRESS CONFERENCE SUMMARY
Edwards confirmed there were no new injury concerns and that both Angel Gomes and Joao Gomes are fit and “in a good place at the moment”.
Edwards said there was “a lot to like about the performance” against Crystal Palace, a game they lost 1-0, adding: “I was equally frustrated after the game as we should have taken something from it. It was frustrating being a yard away from stopping the goal happening and making something of it. There was emotion and anger after the game.”
The Wolves boss confirmed he had seen a positive reaction in training after the Palace loss. Edwards said: “We flipped it the next day and that shows that people care. The dressing room was interesting after the game. There is not a frustration that lingers which is causing any sort of problem. We have an exciting week, and we’re at home to try to get some results as well.”
On facing Aston Villa, who are currently placed third in the Premier League, Edwards said: “Villa are obviously a brilliant team and an amazing manager [Unai Emery]. They have a clear way of playing – we sort of know big, big elements of what we need to do to make sure we are competitive in the game. It needs to look like it matters to us. Villa are a team which can win a game in many different ways.”
On the supporters galvanising the team: “The supporters have been amazing considering how difficult it has been. I know the players have got to produce, but what I want as well is for the supporters to keep backing the team. We need to bring our best, and I know the supporters will be right behind the lads.”
On Mateus Mane being approached by Portugal to play for them over England: “He has got to be able to follow his heart. But again, I will support whatever he chooses to do. His main focus, and he knows this, needs to be here.”
On how Tolu Arokodare is coping after being racially abused on social media: “He is alright, and he has trained this week. He has trained, so he is fit and in a good state to play. Our supporters can have an influence and get behind him and show that love for singing for him.”
Rob Edwards pre match press conference: Wolves v Aston Villa
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