Nuno heaps praise on Wolves duo Ruben Neves and Adama Traore

Neves opened the scoring in the 2-1 triumph in outstanding fashion, smacking the ball into the corner from the edge of the area.

Traore, meanwhile, put the afterburners on to leave Douglas Luiz trailing in his wake and put the ball on a plate for Raul Jimenez to double Wolves’ lead, before Trezeguet’s late strike for Villa.

The onus was on Neves to react after a ‘bad’ penalty was saved against Slovan Bratislava in the 1-0 Europa League win last Thursday, and Nuno Espirito Santo was delighted with the response he came up with.

“He played really well, really well,” said Nuno on Neves.

“Defensively, he managed the ball, good passing – and credit must go to him and Joao (Moutinho, for the goal).”

“They made it themselves. It was really, really good.”

Wolves won a free-kick as Tyrone Mings cynically tripped Traore and instead of shooting or crossing into the box, Moutinho passed it sideways to compatriot Neves, who emphatically came up with the goods.

Nuno was asked whether it was a routine straight off the training ground – but the boss said it was more a case of his players acting on instinct.

“Joao saw the space and took the decision. He has the knowledge to do it,” said Nuno.

Traore was eager to impress against his old club, and on the back of his first Spain call-up.

Traore had been selected for Euro qualifiers against Malta and Romania – but he was forced to withdraw with an unspecified injury and was being assessed today.

The 23-year-old speedster was born in Spain and has represented them at various youth levels, and is also eligible to play for Mali through his parents.

It was said last week he had pledged his allegiance to Mali, but he later told the Express & Star that was not the case. And Traore’s pace was a thorn in Villa’s side all afternoon.

“Adama is doing very, very well. He is sticking to his tasks and helping the team, and he is unique,” added Nuno.

“He gives you unique moments that only he can produce.”

Villa chief Dean Smith was very complimentary of another Wolves player as well.

Jimenez, who got the second, caught Smith’s eye with his work in attack.

“They’ve got the pace of Traore and one of the best forwards we’ve come up against in Jimenez, a very good player,” said Smith on Wolves’ £32million record signing.

“I think he’s got a great all-round game. He’s decent in the air, comes short, holds the ball up really well.

“He goes in behind, works really hard for the team, a really good performance from him.”

Moutinho and Neves are now set to go away with Portugal, along with Diogo Jota and Rui Patricio. Jimenez is going away with Mexico despite Tata Martino saying the nation’s European-based players would be rested until 2020.