Carla Ward’s Aston Villa return to Women’s Super League action this Saturday as the Villans take on Emma Hayes’ Chelsea at the Bescot Stadium.
Here’s the latest heading into tomorrow’s early kick-off clash with the champions…
THE BUILD UP
November’s international break has concluded, signalling the return of WSL football and Carla Ward’s Aston Villa look to claim their first few points of the season against the Blues in Walsall tomorrow afternoon.
It has been a difficult start for the claret and blue side who have lost their opening four games of the campaign. This poor form has come as a shock to many after last year’s successful fifth place finish and encouraging recruitment over the summer.
The international period would have provided Ward and her staff with an opportunity to address the problems and the head coach will be looking to claw away any pressure with a positive result against the reigning Women’s Super League champions this weekend.
Last time out, Villa were defeated 4-2 at home to Tottenham Hotspur, despite taking an early lead from the spot through Rachel Daly; who ranked a majorly impressive 10th in Monday’s Ballon d’Or Feminin awards. Scottish forward Martha Thomas would equalise for the visitors just after the hour mark, before Spurs doubled their lead in half-time stoppage time thanks to full-back Ashleigh Neville’s back-post header.
Thomas would bag two more after the break to complete her hat-trick and Lucy Parker would bundle home a consolation goal in the closing stages for her first in Aston Villa colours. Following this result, Ward’s side sit in a miserable eleventh place in the table as Robert Vilahamn’s Spurs climbed to third.
Carla Ward was disappointed with her side’s performance in Walsall, describing it as a ‘poor afternoon’ and is looking for a reaction from her side this week. Discussing how she intends to lift morale around the camp ahead of tomorrow’s game, Ward said: “(I need to) remind them how good they are and remind them what they’re good at. I think that’s really important. We’ve analysed our first four games as well as what made us so successful last season.
Things only get tougher for Ward as they prepare to face one of the best teams in the division in Chelsea. Emma Hayes’ side sit joint top of the WSL on 10 points after four games, with Gareth Taylor’s Manchester City just ahead on goal difference.
Last time out for the Blues was a home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion at Kingsmeadow. The West-London outfit claimed all three points on the day, despite going a goal behind inside 10 minutes thanks to Pauline Bremer’s effort. Sjoeke Nusken would equalise just before half-time for the hosts, before doubling her tally in the 52nd minute to put her side ahead.
The German midfielder would complete her hat-trick in the 74th minute and young forward Agnes Beever-Jones would get in on the act and grab her first of the campaign off the bench in the final few minutes. Elisbaeth Terland scored a late consolation for Melissa Phillips’ side, but the Seagulls were well and truly beaten on the day.
Carla Ward outlined the difficulty of facing Chelsea and commented on her bond with managerial counterpart Emma Hayes.
Speaking on the Blues boss and tomorrow’s West London opponents, the 39-year-old head coach said: “Everyone knows my relationship with Emma [Hayes]. She’s been unbelievable with me since I’ve been in the WSL. She’s one of the best in the world and Chelsea have shown that by losing five [league] games in five years.
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TEAM NEWS
ASTON VILLA
Carla Ward’s team could be strengthened this week with the possible return of midfielder Kenza Dali. The French play-maker missed the opening four games of the term with an injury picked up on the back of her World Cup campaign with France over the summer, but recently returned to training and faces a late fitness test ahead of a weekend comeback.
Speaking on the condition of her number 10, Ward said: “Kenza Dali is back on the grass. We’re still unsure if she’ll definitely be available this weekend but she’s closing in on a return which is massive for us.”
Summer signing Lucy Parker will miss the upcoming game against the Blues, however. Parker, who joined from West Ham in July, was recently called up to Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses squad for their UEFA Nations League fixtures against Belgium, but sadly had to withdraw after sustaining an ankle injury.
Ward ruled the defender out of tomorrow’s big game at the Bescot, she said: “Lucy [Parker] picked up an injury on [England] camp. She’s had a scan and been assessed, and she definitely won’t be available this weekend.”
Elsewhere, winger Kirsty Hanson will make her way back into the side this weekend after serving her three-match suspension for a red card picked up during the season opener against Manchester United. Ward has described the Scottish international’s return as ‘massive’ with the 25-year-old playing a crucial role in the side last season.
CHELSEA
Emma Hayes will be without star midfielder Guro Reiten for tomorrow’s visit of Aston Villa. The Norwegian international suffered a recurrence of an ankle injury during a training session a couple of weeks ago and has missed the previous two WSL fixtures against West Ham and Brighton, as a result.
Also unavailable for Chelsea is Czech international Katerina Svitkova. The 27-year-old midfielder is currently sidelined with a ‘a long term injury’; an injury suffered at the beginning of the campaign.
Aside from these two absentees, however, Hayes has a fully fit squad to take with her to the Bescot tomorrow afternoon, with the likes of Millie Bright, Lauren James and Fran Kirby all expected to feature in Walsall.
PREDICTED LINE-UP
Let’s take a look at my predicted line-up for this upcoming fixture at the Bescot…
Do you agree? Who makes your side? Share now and let’s discuss?
Do you agree? Who makes your side? Share yours now and let’s discuss?
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