Aston Villa Women have got off to the worst possible start to their WSL season losing their opening four games and it doesn’t get any easier this weekend as they host reigning WSL champions Chelsea at Bescot Stadium.
Carla Ward’s side have gone ahead in three of their four games but have made a habit of conceding late goals. On the opening weekend they conceded in the 96th minute to lose 2-1 to Manchester United at Villa Park and two weeks later, Arsenal scored twice in injury time for another 2-1 loss.
Chelsea go into the game unbeaten in their opening five WSL games, winning four of them. They have also never lost to Villa in the league with an aggregate score of 14-1 across six games. Emma Hayes will be looking to win her seventh Women’s Super League title and fifth in a row this season and have a chance to go top of the league with a victory.
From best mates to rivals!
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) November 2, 2023
Who will come out on top as @Mdawg1bright and @RachelDaly3 go head to head this weekend?#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/3yvdzKQfm1
In positive news for Aston Villa, French international, Kenza Dali has returned to training after being absent from first team operations since picking up a knock at the World Cup. She will be assessed before the weekend. However, the home side were dealt an injury blow in the week as midfielder, Lucy Parker picked up an ankle injury in training on international duty with England.
Player Spotlight: Sam Kerr
On Monday, the Australian came second in the Women’s Ballon d’Or, behind Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati. Kerr has had a productive international break, scoring against Iran and Chinese Taipei as well as a hat-trick in an 8-0 victory over the Philippines. She has three goal involvements in the WSL so far this season but seems to enjoy playing against Aston Villa, scoring in her last four appearances against the Midlands side.
Prediction: AVL 1-3 CHE
Villa will be cheered on by a good home crowd at Bescot and often find a way to score against anyone, especially with Rachel Daly leading the line. Despite this, Chelsea’s quality all over the pitch will be too much for them on the day with a front three of Fran Kirby, Lauren James and Sam Kerr, I expect Daphne van Domselaar to have a very busy day in the Aston Villa goal.
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