The opening 20 minutes saw both sides battling and defending well with neither able to create a clear cut chance.
The first real effort on goal came to Wolves as an Amber Quick shot was well saved by former Wanderers' keeper Becky Thomas.
Quick was forced off soon after when she was accidentally struck in eye by an Albion player and had to leave the field for treatment.
Natalie Morris took to the field in her place as Wolves continued to stand toe-to-toe with their higher-league opposition.
Quality defending from both sides kept chances to a minimum but as half time approached Albion came close when Ashleigh Neville headed wide from 10 yards. Wolves responded with seconds to go as Becky Hall’s free-kick whistled past the post.
The second half continued in the same vein as both sides passed the ball around well, but Wolves had the first clear-cut chance as Dani Selmes beat keeper Thomas to a high ball before scrambling an effort towards goal, only to be thwarted by another ex-Wolves player as Emily Owen cleared.
Wolves went closer still after the hour mark as a Jen Anslow corner was met by the head of Phillipa Wilson but her effort flew just wide of the Albion post.
Two minutes later Wolves put together one of the best passing moves of the match as Jordan Timmins-Ray combined with Selmes and Becky Hall before the latter fired over.
With ten minutes to go both sides were continuing to defend well and move the ball about, with Morris finding Timmins-Ray out wide on numerous occasions as Wolves took the fight to Albion.
As the full time whistle approached Wolves finally breached the Albion backline when a free kick was headed back out to Morris. Her effort came back off the crossbar into the path of Selmes who made no mistake from six yards to clinch a late win.
Wolves Manager James Astle was delighted with the result. He said: “Today it all came together in what the players knew would be our toughest game to date. The players all know I expect professionalism, maturity and discipline.
“Every single player gave it their all and they deserve the win. It’s what we needed to take us back into league action next week, which still remains our top priority and focus.
“I cannot fail to mention the hard work behind the scenes, plus the support we had away today - I’ve not witnessed that before. It was tough and at times we were very much under pressure.
“From our previous encounters I expected a close game and I came away very pleased with the performance.”
In the semi-finals on February 19th, Wolves will host Coventry City, while Aston Villa are home to Coventry Ladies Development.
Pictured (top) - Wolves' Philippa Wilson in an aerial challange, (above) - Jamilah Palmer on the ball.
She Kicks - the online news service for women's football
