Daniel Podence’s goal set his side on their way against Aston Villa, but after the winger was forced off at half-time with an injury and due to the efforts he players put into the match during the opening 45 minutes, Lopetegui felt his players were unable to maintain their levels after the break which allowed Villa the chance to earn a draw.
But with an FA Cup tie against a Liverpool side which has had two extra days of preparation this Saturday evening, the head coach and his players have to quickly turn their attention to their next match.
On settling for a point at Villa Park
“I was a little bit disappointed because I felt we made a very big performance against a very good team. Aston Villa has overcome some very big teams in their last matches, like Tottenham and Manchester, but today, above all, we have had a lot of control of the situation with the ball and without the ball.
“We fought for the three points and came very close. In the first-half, my opinion is that we were overcoming everything. The second, maybe the big problem was that we made a big effort in the first and we were low physically a little bit.
“We didn’t have a lot of changes we could make in the midfield areas, we only had three on the pitch and one on the bench, and in the end it was going to be a pity because we had to change to make a defensive line of three or five, and in this key moment they score.
“I feel they pushed a lot and had one very clear chance with Bailey in the last minute, but we had three counter-attacks very clear that could have closed the match. It’s a pity, but I prefer to be positive and we had one point against Aston Villa and we have to be ready to continue in our fight.”
— Wolves (@Wolves) January 4, 2023
On Podence’s injury
“We lost Daniel Podence in the half who is a very important player for us to have on the ball and in control of the situation.
“We don’t know how he’s going but he had problems in the first-half and he couldn’t continue in the second-half. This was a pity because we wanted to overcome Aston Villa from having the ball and of course Daniel Podence is a very important player for us in this kind of situation.
“So in the second-half, when we are more tired and when this kind of player is out, maybe without that, we would have had more points.”
On Sa’s slip for Villa’s equaliser
“This is football, but we are happy with him. He’s working very good, but it was a pity, and you can see that. It was bad luck.”
On Cunha’s debut
“Matheus Cunha needs to play more and maybe he was for 30 minutes and no more, but step by step he has to improve. Today I think that he started playing in a very key moment for the match, but he’s going to improve.”
Thank you for your support at Villa Park this evening. You were amazing.
— Wolves (@Wolves) January 4, 2023
💛 pic.twitter.com/Kdg68qubsA
On showing improvements
“This is my feeling. We come here thinking to win and beat a big team like Aston Villa, but we will continue working and understanding what we want is going to be a long and hard race. We have to arrive with energy and belief in ourself. This is the only way.
“We are still improving and now we have to improve our numbers of players in the squad because in three days we play again against Liverpool, a team who has played two days before us and this I don’t understand. It’s such a big advantage for them. We played two days after the opponent and I don’t understand this, but I have to accept it.”
On fighting for points
“The current position is that we are in a very bad position in the table, we have to accept this, but we are fighting in each match and showing that we are able to beat any team. To fight and to get our aim which is to of course be out of the relegation zone.
“It’s a derby and we want to win for our fans because we need three points in this league. But it’s going to be a very hard race and a very long race and we have to be ready. But this is one more point. We wanted to win, but at the same time, I think we are in a good way.”
