Joao Gomes grabbed his first league goal this season in the second half before Rodrigo Gomes finished off lacklustre Villa at rain-lashed Molineux.
With third-placed Villa well below their best, Rob Edwards’ bottom of the table side were able to celebrate three points for the first time since beating West Ham in early January.
Sitting 14 points from safety with only nine matches left, Wolves’ first win in nine league games is unlikely to spark a late escape from relegation.
The west midlands derby victory was still a sweet moment for the Wolves faithful as it dented their rivals’ bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
It also ensured Wolves would avoid setting a new record-low Premier League points total.
Their 13 points so far this season surpassed the record low 11 points accrued by Derby in 2007-08.
Villa are six points clear of fifth-placed Chelsea and sixth-placed Liverpool in the race to earn Champions League qualification, with a top five finish likely to achieve that target.
But Unai Emery’s spluttering side have won just twice in their last eight league matches.
Villa’s next two top-flight games will be crucial as they host Chelsea and travel to fourth-placed Manchester United. (AFP)
Edited by Robert Kemp
