Manager Julen Lopetegui thinks that retaining Wolves in the Premier League will be his greatest accomplishment because they virtually put an end to any relegation concerns and destroyed Aston Villa's hopes of qualifying for Europe.
Despite being at the bottom of the standings at Christmas, Toti Gomes' first-half header gave Wolves a tenacious 1-0 victory and propelled them to 40 points.
For the first time since 1975, they won four straight top-flight home games, and depending on other outcomes, they might be mathematically secure by Monday night.
Wolves are currently 10 points clear of the relegation zone thanks to Lopetegui, who was hired in November before taking over in December after the World Cup.
"As a coach, it was one of the hardest challenges I've ever faced. More tough than (winning) the Europa League and getting Sevilla into the Champions League, it has been my most difficult accomplishment as a coach, the manager remarked as he enthusiastically celebrated the game's conclusion.
"It was a terrible circumstance. Many phoned me and said, "You are crazy, why do you go there? "
The points are crucial for us. Although it is not mathematical to get to 40 points, we are quite near to achieving our goal. I'm overjoyed for the team, the fans, and the players. In December, we came with 10 points at the very bottom.
"I am a person, so today I displayed more emotion. We've endured a lot of pain.
After nine minutes, Gomes scored the winning goal by heading in Ruben Neves' corner off the crossbar.
Ollie Watkins wasted their greatest opportunity by planting a free header straight at Jose Sa as Villa dominated the majority of the first half. Jose Sa also stopped Emi Buendia from scoring.
Just before halftime, Matheus Cunha missed the target, and shortly after the restart, Emi Martinez denied Diego Costa.
Villa struggled to overcome a tenacious Wolves team who had just lost 6-0 at Brighton the week before, but with 19 minutes left, they could have tied the score.
Tyrone Mings received a free kick from Douglas Luiz that dropped perfectly for him, but the defender volleyed it over the goal from six yards out.
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left, they could have tied the score.
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