Aston Villa 4 Wolves 1 – player ratings

John Ruddy

Four shots on target for Villa and four goals but Ruddy was given next to no protection from his defenders for each. Where he could be faulted was the commanding of his penalty area. A couple of punches were unconvincing. 5/10

Danny Batth

A torrid afternoon for the skipper who suffered the ignominy of being hauled off with 68 minutes on the clock. A mis-kick led to the first goal and he's done by Adomah for the third. Wasn't dominant enough and Adomah had the beating of him. His place looks vulnerable for Tuesday now which, after waiting so long for his chance, will be bitterly disappointing for the club captain. He comes in for fierce criticism from the fanbase but no player will have felt this defeat more than Batth. 4/10

Conor Coady

No specific glaring errors at the back but his distribution lacked its usual preciseness. 6/10

Willy Boly

Beaten by Grabban for the third goal and he was sloppy in possession at times. When Wolves are in control Boly is their Rolls Royce but when they're up against it his casual over-confidence is a weakness. 5/10

Matt Doherty

So impressive in the first half, especially when creating the goal with a 'see ya later' move on the weakest player in Villa's back line, Neil Taylor. Perfect ball into the box, too. Grew tired as the game went on and he failed to stop Bjarnason for the fourth, but in general he couldn't be faulted for this defeat. 7/10

Ruben Neves

A big influence on Wolves' control of a large chunk of the first half with some probing passing and movement. Like the team, he failed to keep this up in the second half and he stood and watched at Bjarnason waltzed past him for the fourth. 6/10

Alfred N'Diaye

Lost the plot a bit in the second half. Looked all day as if he would pick up a second booking, but thankfully he avoided that. Positional sense was lacking and this helped Villa pick Wolves apart. 5/10

Barry Douglas

After being somewhere near his best at Leeds this was a big let down. Set pieces weren't on the money and he lacked the drive to get at Villa down that left flank. Tiredness perhaps? Just wasn't on it. 4/10

Ivan Cavaleiro

A surprise to see him withdrawn as he could have produced a moment of magic but equally he could have no complaints after a below par performance. Like Jota and also Bonatini he's acquired a tendency to try and walk the ball in...he barely shoots from range these days even though he possesses the ability to find the top corner. With Costa looking lively from the bench he may be one who drops out on Tuesday. 5/10

Leo Bonatini

Bonatini is a man low on confidence and it really shows. Hesitant in good areas and just doesn't look like he's going to score, which he still hasn't since December 4. That's not a huge issue if he's holding the ball up well and playing his team mates into good positions, but this just didn't happen yesterday. The calls for Afobe to start will only grow louder. 4/10

Diogo Jota

Started off with positive intentions and he frightened the life out of Villa when he ran at them from deep. Scored his 14th goal of the season but offered precious little after the break and was substituted. 5/10

Substitutes

Benik Afobe

Starved of service and didn't make an impact. However it's surely time to see what he can do from the start. 5/10

Romain Saiss

With Ryan Bennett sat on the bench it was particularly peculiar to see the left-footed midfielder Saiss play on the right of a back three. An experiment that shouldn't be tried again. Saiss is another who'll be hopeful of coming back into the side, though, on Tuesday. 4/10

Helder Costa

Good, positive intent and he managed what no other Wolves player did in the second half – have a shot at goal. 6/10

Subs not used: Norris, Bennett, Miranda, Gibbs-White.