Aston Villa, the present whipping boys of football away from home - 15 goals against in their last four games first frustrated Wolves, then outplayed them and eventually were unlucky not to win.

Villa were inspired, in a second half that they dominated, by Brian Little, showing for the first time this season why Don Revie picked him for the England squad at the end of last season.

Little was entitled to a goal on last night’s second half performance, which suggested words had been said to him at half time, and he nearly had two or three. Surprisingly for two defences with such fragile reputations, neither goalkeeper had much to do in terms of direct shots.

Both were reasonably busy catching crosses, but Gary Pierce had to wait until after the break to see serious action and Jake Findlay’s only difficult first half save was a dive to his left to push away Steve Kindon’s fierce drive.

The young Villa goalkeeper, playing in only his second First Division match, also dived at Kenny Hibbitt’s feet and saved a hook shot from Willie Carr as Wolves had the better of the first half.

Findlay was watched from the directors’ box by John Burridge, who will officially become Villa’s first choice goalkeeper today and he coped so competently with the pressure that he deserves another opportunity.

Mainly though he watched the furious midfield rush, as befits a local derby.

Kindon, restored to the Wolves attack after missing five matches with a back injury, caused Villa’s defence problems, but mainly with tactics best suited to a second row forward.

Norman Bell, a 19-year old making his first team debut, was promising without being particularly dangerous.

Warming up

In the second half it took Villa just four minutes to show their intentions.

Chris Nichol!, moving up to give Villa much-needed height, had a powerful header pushed for a corner by Pierce.

Little then began to warm up. In the 60th minute he reached Ray Graydon’s corner with an acrobatic overhead kick, but, although the shot beat Pierce, who was badly positioned, it dipped over the bar.

Little was also unlucky when he swerved past two Wolves defenders but clipped his shot straight at Pierce.

Booked

John McAlle became the second Wolves man to be cautioned - Geoff Palmer went into Tommy Reynolds’ book for barging the referee because he wouldn’t give a first half penalty - when he chopped down Little from behind.

Wolves mounted few counter-attacks and they must have been glad that Villa lacked the height and strength of Keith Leonard, who is still immobilised by a knee injury.

Sammy Morgan, who replaced him, was dropped to substitute last night, with Frank Carrodus moving into the attack and John Robson coming into midfield to add enthusiasm and tackling power.