Boss Rob Edwards charged down the touchline to celebrate Wolves' last-gasp second goal which wrapped up a rare three points.
Rodrigo Gomes had finished Aston Villa off with a goal on the break after the visitors pushed up in search of a late equaliser, sparking scenes of celebration hardly seen at Molineux this season.
It was just a second Premier League win of the campaign - but, crucially, means Wolves avoid being branded the worst team in the division's history.
There was a sense before the game Wolves were due a big win, and with stumbling Villa in town they could upset their neighbours.
They duly delivered in a unifying performance which gives more hope that the club will be able to recover from relegation quickly.
"One-nil to the Championship" sang the home fans after Joao Gomes' opening goal, with Wolves' gritty and determined performance delivering a deserved victory.
It will prolong the inevitable - Wolves are going down. But when Edwards replaced Vitor Pereira in November it was how they were going to get relegated - with a whimper or with fight.
In the final nine games of the season, they have the chance to find the momentum to make an immediate return to the top flight.