Carla Ward’s Aston Villa look to claim their first points of the season as they take on Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Here’s the latest heading into Sunday’s Women’s Super League fixture in North-London…
THE BUILD UP
Ward’s side find themselves in 11th place in the WSL after the first two game-weeks. Successive defeats against Marc Skinner’s Manchester United and Matthew Beard’s Liverpool has the Villans joint-bottom with Brian SΓΈrensen’s Everton and the newly promoted Bristol City on zero points.
Last week, Villa were defeated by two goals to nil at Prenton Park as Matt Beard’s Reds kept their 100% record to begin the 2023/24 campaign. Marie HΓΆbinger opened the scoring for Liverpool inside 21 minutes, sending a thunderous effort into the top corner and well beyond Daphne von Domselaar’s reach.
Despite a few decent chances for the travelling Villans, there was a clear lack of conviction and intent in their play and the hosts would go on to double their lead in the 77th minute through Natasha Flint; a goal that really knocked the stuffing out of Carla Ward’s side as they chased a leveller.
Carla Ward believes that the better team won on the day but admits the onus is on her. Speaking after the defeat on Merseyside, Ward said: βThey were the better team. They played with more quality, heart and desire. But itβs on me, Iβm the manager.
“I have to get it right and have a look at it to see where it went wrong, and come back making sure weβre better next week.β
Tomorrow’s opponents, Arsenal, have also experienced a difficult start to the new term and find themselves in ninth after the first two fixtures. A defeat at the hands of Liverpool on the opening weekend was followed by last weekend’s 2-2 draw away at Manchester United, with the Gunners scoring late on to claim their first point of the campaign.
Swedish forward Stina Blackstenius struck first for the away side at Leigh Sports Village, before United’s Leah Galton equalised in the 27th minute after a goalkeeping mishap from Sabrina D’Angelo left the English winger with an open goal. The Red Devils would go ahead ten minutes before time through substitute Melvin Malard, but up stepped Cloe Lacasse who rifled home an effort in the 93rd minute to bring the scores back level.
Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall believes tomorrow’s opponents will be another tough challenge for his Gunners and expects a difficult game at home. On Villa, Eidevall said: “I’ve only seen Aston Villa as a competitor for the last two seasons and they’ve been a very strong side under Carla Ward. They have been developing from a strong foundation.
“I expect them to come to the Emirates and believe in their model and their identity. I think it’s going to be an exciting game between two teams who really want to play football.”
Last season’s fixture away at Arsenal finished 2-0 to the visitors with Rachel Daly and Alisha Lehmann finding themselves on the score-sheet in the season finale. It has been a summer of changes for both sides – who can register their first victory of the season and claim all three points in North-London?
Can I ask a quick favour? We love producing content for you on our website, and we want to share it with as many Villa fans as possible. Consider mentioning our website next time you’re talking Villa with your friends, or better still, It’s free to subscribe to our profit-free site; you’ll receive instant email notifications of all released articles. Plus, as with the website, no adverts or spam mail will be delivered to your mailbox; only our content. Thanks.
TEAM NEWS
ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa will be without play-maker Kenza Dali for a third consecutive game as the France international continues to recovery from a knock picked up on the back of her World Cup campaign in Australia/New Zealand over the Summer.
Speaking on the number 10’s condition and a possible return date, Carla Ward said: βKenza [Dali] still wonβt be available. Weβre probably looking at [after] the international break for a return.”
Kirsty Hanson is another name who will not be making the trip to the capital tomorrow afternoon as the Scottish winger continues to serve a three-match suspension. Both Dali and Hanson were regulars in the side last year but have respectively struggled for minutes this season.
Speaking on the significance of the pair’s absence, Ward said:” βKirsty [Hanson] and Kenza were pivotal in everything we did last season. What Kenza does is link the front half and the back half very well. Kirstyβs pace and power is something thatβs rare in our game.
“Weβve missed them massively, but the groupβs tight-knit. Weβre disappointed but weβll keep working like we always do.β
Elsewhere, the head coach confirmed that there may be a few more members of the squad unavailable tomorrow but the majority of the squad are fit and raring to go. Ward said: “Weβve had a couple of illnesses in camp which will be assessed today but other than that, everyoneβs good to go.β
ARSENAL
Arsenal will be without captain Leah Williamson for tomorrow’s game and the majority of the 2023/24 season. The 26-year-old defender suffered a devastating ACL injury towards the end of last season, forcing the England international to miss the World Cup and the beginning of the 2023/24 WSL campaign.
The Gunners’ head coach Jonas Eidevall recently provided an update on the number six, he said: “Leahβs unfortunately not that close to playing, even if she’s progressing very well,” he said. “She’s out on the pitch, which is really pleasing.”
“With Leah, it’s always been that there’s no way she’s going to return before Christmas. She is an after-Christmas player. In terms of what month after Christmas, it’s impossible to predict that at the moment.”
The Swedish manager also provided an update on winger Beth Mead who is another Gunner currently sidelined with injury, but is close to a return. On the 28-year-old’s imminent comeback, Eidevall said: “We have one more training to go. If Beth goes through that training session, she should be 100 per cent ready for squad selection.”
Elsewhere, forward Vivianne Miedema and defensive duo Laura Wienroither and Teyah Goldie have been ruled out. The trio all suffered ACL injuries last season and each face long spells on the sidelines. Miedema is the closest to returning, having suffered the injury last December, with Eidevall revealing that the next step for the Dutch star is to start ‘gaining match fitness through training games’.
The 40-year-old head coach then confirmed that ‘despite managing a few knocks in the side’, the remainder of the Arsenal side is fit and healthy and in contention to play tomorrow. The likes of Katie McCabe, Kim Little and Stina Blackstenius are all expected to feature.
PREDICTED LINE-UP
Letβs take a look at my predicted line-up for this upcoming fixture at the Emiratesβ¦
Do you agree? Who makes your side? Share yours now and let’s discuss?
Do you agree? Who makes your side? Share yours now and let’s discuss?
MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR: LIAM DAVIES
“Thank you for reading: any likes, retweets, or shares on the social media post where you found this article would be highly appreciated“.
“Are you on Twitter? Drop me a follow; all released articles will be posted to my feed”.
Click the icon below…
Authorβs UTV PODCAST archive Liam Davies – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
Thumbnail Media Credit: www.avfc.co.uk
ASTON VILLA WOMEN SHIRT
UTVPODCAST is pleased to partner with Official AVFC Store, Fanatics, and Kitbag. Throughout the season, we will bring you exclusive offers and discount codes.
Wear the ultimate Villa look every day with the official Aston Villa home shirt for the 2022-23 season. Featuring the same visual details as the pro shirt but designed for comfortable, everyday wear this is an essential item for every Villan’s wardrobe.
CLICK HERE TO SHOP NOW.
VILLA BELLAS
Villa Bellas is the Official AVFC Womenβs Network. In an unequal and often unrelenting world we work to break down barriers for equality.
Our network aims to raise the voice of women and non-binary people at @AVFCOfficial We support inclusion & diversity and with our allies, we can challenge sexism and misogyny, creating a safe and welcoming environment for the fans in the stands and the women on the pitch.
Let’s celebrate ourselves and champion each other while having fun doing it!
Twitter: @villabellas Instagram: @villa.bellas
Can you help support us? Our non-profit and ad-free website, UTVPODCAST | The Website, is now accepting small donations to help support its continuous evolution and operating costs. We love creating this content for you and want it to be as successful as possible. If you are able to help, please click the PayPal button below.
