Edwards proud of Gomes' response to Wolves axe

Wolves boss Rob Edwards has praised Joao Gomes after his pre-match pep talk inspired the midfielder's first goal in a year.

The Brazil international was recalled to score for the first time since February 2025 in Friday's 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

He had been dropped this month after a dip in form but produced a man-of-the-match display after Edwards spoke to him before the game.

"He really responded," Edwards said.

"I think he's a wonderful player and he's shown real glimpses and a lot of good stuff since we arrived as well.

"But I think it's been hard for him because in a team that has struggled at times or if you've not got the results, it can be challenging. You can think 'I've made a big move here' and then you question things.

"I understand it, but he really, really stepped up the other night and that's the level that we want to see from him all of the time now.

"It's only going to benefit him going forward if he continues to perform like that."

Victory was just Wolves' second in the Premier League this season and they host Liverpool on Tuesday.

It is the first of a double header with the champions, who also come to Molineux in the FA Cup fifth round on Friday.

"It's alright me banging on about the lads performing, competing and giving everything but we're in a business where people only look at it if you're getting results and wins," said Edwards.

"So when you do get a performance like that [Friday] and a win against a team like that maybe it amplifies a little bit of what I'm saying and people perhaps will believe it a little bit more.

"The lads are just getting a bit more confirmation of their performance levels and how much harder they're working now from when we first came in, it's stark and the facts are there which is really, really evident as well.

"We've still got a long way to go but there has been a lot of improvement made."