Carla Ward’s Aston Villa Women host Brian Sørensen’s Everton this afternoon at the Bescot Stadium.
Here’s the latest heading into today’s Women’s FA Cup fixture…
Assistant Editor: Liam Davies
THE BUILD UP
Aston Villa return to action following the winter break as Carla Ward’s side gear up to face Everton in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.
A little under a month ago, the Villans faced off against Melissa Phillips’ Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women’s Super League; a game that saw Villa victorious at the Bescot, courtesy of Adriana Leon’s 63rd minute solo effort.
Full-back Maz Pacheco was sent off late on for a succession of yellow cards, but this 1-0 victory helped the claret and blue side leapfrog the Seagulls into ninth place in the league.
Focus turns to the FA Cup this week however, before a crucial test against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium next Friday.
Everton are the round of 32 opponents; a side that Villa know all too well, having faced off against the Toffees at the end of November at Villa Park.
The Merseyside visitors came away with the points that afternoon as an own goal from Anna Patten and Nathalie Bjorn’s 74th minute penalty either side of Rachel Daly’s well-taken strike helped Sørensen’s side to victory.
Last time out, the Toffees were defeated by four goals to one at Walton Hall Park, with title-chasing Manchester City the winnerson Merseyside. A Khadija Shaw hat-trick and a Jill Roord effort helped the Citizens to a valuable three points in Liverpool.
Carla Ward believes the upcoming tie with the Toffees will be a tough one, but has her eyes set on qualification into the next round.
On her Saturday afternoon opponents and the prospect of advancing through, she said: “Ever since Brian [Sørensen]’s come in they’ve had a decent style of play. They’re always a team that wants to get the ball down and play. It’s going to be a tough game – it always is.
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TEAM NEWS
ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa defender Lucy Parker is expected to miss the majority of the season after suffering a reoccurring ankle injury in recent weeks.
Parker, who joined the club from West Ham last summer, missed six fixtures throughout November and a Lionesses camp with an ankle problem and requires surgery.
On the 25-year-old defender, manager Carla Ward said: “We had a friendly when we came back from our winter break and, sadly, Lucy Parker has picked up an injury which requires surgery.
Ward will also be without defender Danielle Turner for today’s cup game against Everton. The 32-year-old, who won December’s WSL goal of the month for her strike against Manchester City, has suffered a knee injury and faces up to two months out, as a result.
Speaking on the condition of the number 14, manager Carla Ward said: “Dan Turner picked up an injury against Manchester City and it’s probably a little worse than we first thought so we’re looking at mid-February until she’s back.
Elsewhere, new signing Noelle Maritz could make her Aston Villa Women debut after completing a permanent move from Arsenal. Speaking on the latest addition, Ward said: “Noelle’s a top, top player. She’s got an abundance of experience. She’s been there, she’s done it.
EVERTON
Meanwhile, Everton and Brian Sørensen could be without several players for their trip to the Bescot this afternoon, with the head coach confirming that many are ‘touch and go’ leading into the tie.
The Danish manager did confirm the absence of goalkeeper Emily Ramsey however, with the 23-year-old unavailable through an ankle injury.
Elsewhere, the like of Katrine Veje, Karen Holmgaard, Lucy Hope, Justine Vanhaevermaet and Elise Stenevik, who each missed games throughout December, could also miss this one.
Defender Nathalie Bjorn recently made the switch to fellow WSL side Chelsea, while 19-year-old Alyssa Aherne’s loan spell with the Toffees has ended and the midfielder will return to parent club Manchester United having made just three appearances in Everton colours since the beginning of the campaign.
PREDICTED LINE-UP
Let’s take a look at my predicted line-up for this upcoming fixture at the Bescot Stadium…
Do you agree? Who makes your side? Share yours now and let’s discuss?
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VILLA BELLAS
Villa Bellas is the Official AVFC Women’s 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!
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