One of the standout fixtures in the Championship this weekend comes at Molineux when second-place Wolverhampton Wanderers host in-form Aston Villa in a Midlands derby on Saturday.

Following the appointment of a Nuno Espirito Santo and the arrival of a number of exciting signings during the summer, Wolves have won seven of their opening 11 league games this term to make themselves early automatic promotion contenders.

Meanwhile despite being one of the pre-season favourites for promotion themselves, Steve Bruce's side didn't enjoy a good start and they were in 18th position at the start of September having won just one of their first seven fixtures.

However, they have won four on the bounce since then and while they look strong at the back, their attacking players finally look to be flourishing in a traditional 4-4-2 formation.

Both teams certainly know that they have the players that can make the difference in a big clash like this one, and they will be raring to go come Saturday evening.

Here are four key on-pitch battles that will decide which way the result goes…

Diogo Jota vs Alan Hutton

Jota was one of a number of players that arrived at Molineux during the course of the summer after completing a loan move from Atletico Madrid, and despite never playing in England before he has made a huge impression for Wolves already.

The 20-year-old winger scored nine goals in 35 appearances during a loan spell with Porto last season, and he has continued that form in front of goal this term with six goals and one assist in 11 Championship outings.

Meanwhile even though Ahmed Elmohamady has started and impressed at right-back in Villa's last five league games, Steve Bruce may feel that he needs a more out-and-out defender in what is going to be a tough clash against Wolves and he could choose to select Hutton to deal with the threat of an in-form Jota.

Ruben Vinagre vs Albert Adomah

It was a mystery to many Villa supporters that Adomah appeared to be out of favour under Steve Bruce – featuring for just 72 minutes in their opening six Championship fixtures this season – having been one of their better players last term.

He came on as a half-time substitute in the seventh and he hasn’t looked back since after scoring four goals in his last five appearances.

The right winger has pace and his getting himself in positions to score, and Wolves left wing-back Vinagre – another summer arrival – will need to keep a close eye on the Ghana international at Molineux.

Despite being just 18 years of age the Portuguese defender has started six of the Midlands outfit’s last seven league games, and he will need to be aware of the threat that a confident Adomah will bring.

Leo Bonatini vs John Terry

Yes, you guessed it. Bonatini was yet another new arrival at Molineux during the summer after joining Wolves on a season-long loan deal from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, and the centre-forward has made a decent start to his career with the Championship side.

The 23-year-old Brazilian has scored four goals and provided a further four assists in 11 league appearances so far this season, and he will be a big threat on Saturday.

Aston Villa will be confident that captain Terry will have the experience and quality to nullify the threat of the striker though, especially as Steve Bruce's side have conceded just once in their last six Championship fixtures.

Danny Batth vs Keinan Davis

Before the season started, Bruce nor the Villa supporters would have expected Davis to become a key player in the Championship for them, but that is exactly what has happened.

The 19-year-old has started their last eight league games having not featured at all in the first three fixtures of the season, and as well as scoring two goals and providing a further two assists, he has struck up a good partnership with Jonathan Kodjia up top in the more traditional 4-4-2 formation that is being utilised right now.

Meanwhile, Wolves captain Batth is one of the few players from last season that still finds himself in the side, but he was also benched for the first five league games this season by Nuno Espirito Santo before playing the full 90 minutes in the following six.

The 27-year-old will look to deal with the aerial threat that Davis provides in order to try and stop Villa getting on the score-sheet.