Aston Villa 0-0 Wolves: Romain Saiss produces astonishing miss

Until Saturday, Romain Saiss was one of the lowest-profile players in the Premier League, but the Wolves defender is now guaranteed a lifetime of notoriety after producing one of the most astonishing misses ever witnessed.

On the ground where Ronny Rosenthal shot against the bar for Liverpool when presented with an open goal 29 years ago, Saiss produced a howler to match.

When Conor Coady headed Pedro Neto’s cross against the post in the 57th minute, the ball broke to where Saiss was stationed a yard from the line. With Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez out of the game, a goal looked inevitable. 

Wolves defender Romain Saiss produced an astonishing miss in the draw against Aston Villa

Saiss failed to find the net from close range at Villa Park, with the game ending goalless

Saiss was left dejected following his shock miss, with Wolves missing out on the chance to win

Yet Saiss seemed almost to defy the laws of physics when he sent the ball over the crossbar despite being positioned practically underneath it. 

In doing so, Saiss ensured he would be the target of mockery and memes for some time to come. He flopped on his back at the final whistle and was the last player to leave the field, still shaking his head in disbelief.

‘It’s clear he should have done better but we are always supportive of mistakes, so there is no problem,’ said boss Nuno Espirito Santo. ‘Saiss should be proud because today he fought really well for the team.’

Villa would argue they were due the lucky break after twice hitting the woodwork in the opening 15 minutes, through Ollie Watkins and Ezri Konsa. As well as hitting the post, Coady also had a very good chance saved by Martinez in the closing minutes during a much-improved second-half display from the visitors.

But it was a poor game between two teams who continue to feel the absence of their best players. Captain Jack Grealish was again missing for Villa with his ongoing shin problems, while Raul Jimenez rejoined training for Wolves last week but it is not known when he will return after fracturing his skull against Arsenal last November.

Without Grealish, Watkins has been bright but his luck was out early on when a thunderous effort from 25 yards flew past Rui Patricio but twanged the bar.

It was the seventh time Watkins, signed from Brentford for a club-record £33million last summer, had struck the woodwork this season.

Striker Ollie Watkins hit the woodwork in the first half as Aston Villa started the game well

Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was in impressive form again as he kept a clean sheet

Ruben Neves goes for goal for Wolves while being put under pressure by Villa’s Douglas Luiz

Watkins was involved again in the 10th minute. After debutant Morgan Sanson had intercepted a poor pass from Leander Dendoncker, Watkins carried the ball into the penalty area but tried to tee up Bertrand Traore instead of shooting, allowing Saiss to clear.

Soon afterwards Traore crossed from the left and when Tyrone Mings failed to make contact at the near post, the ball reached Konsa at the far one – only for the bar to deny Villa again as Konsa’s effort from six yards rebounded off it.

Wolves were very poor in the first half though at least captain Coady was his usual reliable self. In the 36th minute, Watkins robbed a dawdling Nelson Semedo and unleashed a powerful shot that Coady did well to block.

Another vital intervention in the 50th minute nearly led to a goal for Wolves. Coady’s powerful headed clearance from Sanson’s corner fell ideally for Pedro Neto, who sped past Matt Targett – Villa’s sole covering defender – and into the penalty area. 

Yet with the ball on Neto’s weaker right foot, Martinez was able to push the shot over and the corner was wasted.

Wolves’ next corner was far more dangerous – and perhaps not even Saiss will understand how it failed to bring a goal. 

Joao Moutinho played it short to Neto, whose swerving delivery was headed against the post by Coady. The rebound fell perfectly for Saiss, who somehow sent the ball over the unguarded goal from a yard.

Substitute Ross Barkley controls the ball for Villa while being put under pressure by Neves

Wolves defender Conor Coady shows his frustration after he was unable to score against Villa

Before his equaliser in the 4-1 defeat at Manchester City last week, Coady had not scored for Wolves since April 2018. Yet he had another glorious chance to make it two goals in as many games here.

Subsitute Ross Barkley gave the ball away to Willian Jose and the Brazilian’s miscued shot found Coady, who tried to guide the ball underneath Martinez but was denied by an excellent reflex save.

In stoppage time, Rui Patricio made just as good a stop to keep out Watkins and Konsa fired the loose ball well wide.

‘I’d have celebrated if Ezri had scored at the end but it would have been unjust on the way Wolves played in the second half,’ admitted Villa manager Dean Smith. 

‘We played well in the first half but then they upped it. Saiss inexplicably put the chance over so I was certainly a relieved man, that’s for sure.’

Recap as Sportsmail’s JEORGE BIRD provided live coverage.