Aston Villa Women return back in action after the winter break in the Women’s Super League ahead of their clash against Tottenham Hotspurs Women at the Bescot Stadium.
The two sides are currently separated by three points in the League table, with Tottenham sitting just one place behind their opponents, who sit in seventh position.
Carla Ward’s side rounded off 2022 with two consecutive league defeats after being thrashed 5-0 and 4-1 by both Manchester United and Arsenal.
While those results suggest that Aston Villa may have a tough season going ahead with top teams in the WSL, Ward’s January’s transfer business has highlighted their ambition to get back on track.
Having already brought in big names in the summer, Villa Women have strengthened their midfield with new additions of England international Lucy Staniforth from Manchester United and Jordan Nobbs, who won multiple trophies at Arsenal.
The two signings will add much more experience to a Villa side that will be keen to improve upon a run of results that has seen them lose five of their last seven league matches.
A long list of injuries have played a massive part for the Midlands team. In the run up to Christmas, Villa’s starting line-up picked itself and towards the end of December, academy players had to replace all injured Villa’s women.
Speaking to Aston Villa TV, Ward was keen to dip into the market for reinforcement in a bid to keep in touch with the top half of the table.
“It is important to keep progressing in the manner we want to. With where we want to go and what we want to achieve. Those experienced bodies come in and add value to our team. Both Nobbs and Staniforth fit that perfectly.”
Meanwhile, the winter break may have come at the right time for Tottenham, who failed to build upon a memorable 8-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.
Like their hosts, Spurs have also signalled their intent in the transfer window after they bought Bethany England from London rivals Chelsea.
The 28-year-old, who has won four WSL titles in her career, was part of the England squad that won the European Championship last summer.
Boss Ward has spoken highly towards the North London side, highlighting the depth of the squad.
“Spurs are a good side. They’ve got some great players. Signing Beth England’s, a massive statement because it shows their ambition and intent. I only expect them to go one way in the new year.”
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Simone Magill, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and Remi Allen are all set to miss out for the hosts through injury.
Nobbs and Staniforth are both expected to make their Aston Villa debuts, with the pair likely to feature in the starting lineup.
Rachel Daly is the joint-highest scorer in the WSL, and she will look to add to the eight goals that she has scored this season when she leads the line on Saturday.
As for the visitors, Spurs are also in a long run of injury spells and are without Kyah Simon, Ria Percival, Kit Graham and Ellie Brazil.
Rehanne Skinners’ January transfer signing, England will look to open her Tottenham account as she could possibly make her debut for the club on Saturday.
