Ruben Neves has insisted that Wolves fought to “protect our pack” in the club’s hard-fought win over Aston Villa.
Wolves needed a reaction after falling to a 6-0 defeat at Brighton last time out and Saturday’s win over Villa saw Julen Lopeeguis’s side reach the lauded 40-point mark and go ten points clear of the teams in the bottom three. Neves admitted that Wolves’ march to safety has been built around the team’s strong home form, having registered their fourth straight win at Molineux.
Ruben Neves said: “Massive result for us. We just wanted to win at home again. We worked so hard and I’m so proud of everyone. It was a tough game and Villa have been one the best teams in the second half of the season but I think we deserved this for all we have been through this season. Really happy for the boys and the fans. After the Brighton game, it’s all we have talked about. We knew we were not that team. It was a tough one to come out from with six goals against us. It was really bad but it was good how the whole team has reacted. Everyone was focussed on this game. We have three games to go and have 40 points. The Premier League is always hard but at home we have our fans with us. The atmosphere was amazing and one of the best of the season. When we play at home we want to protect our pack. We know if we keep a clean sheet we will have our chances to score goals like we did today.”
Wolves are now free to enjoy their final three games, knowing a defeat for any of Everton, Leicester City or Nottingham Forest would seal their Premier League status for next season. Next up is a trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United before hosting Everton and then travelling to Arsenal on the final day.