Aston Villavs.Everton

The Villans are languishing in 11th spot in the WSL table, while Everton are three points better off in ninth position.

Match preview

Arroyo has experienced mixed results since taking over the reins as Villa boss, with her first three competitive matches producing one win and two defeats.

The Villans showed great fight in a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in Arroyo's first game in charge, before they clinched a 3-2 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women's FA Cup, setting up a quarter-final meeting with Manchester City.

Unfortunately for Arroyo, her side then fell to a heavy 3-0 away defeat against Leicester City, leaving her without any points to show from her first two games as a WSL manager.

Having failed to win any of their last four league games, Villa are down in 10th position with a four-point gap to Crystal Palace in the sole relegation spot.

They will look to extend that gap on matchday 15, as they go in search of their first WSL victory since beating West Ham United 3-1 in the middle of December.

Everton enjoy a seven-point buffer to the relegation spot after winning three, drawing four and losing seven of their 14 league matches.

The Toffees ran Chelsea close in their final outing before the international window, falling to a narrow 2-1 away defeat after taking the lead through Kelly Gago.

Mayra Ramirez cancelled out Gago's opener just after the hour mark, before Lauren James netted a 93rd-minute winner to leave Everton with nothing to show for their hard-fought display.

Despite putting up a great fight, the result contributed to Everton's poor away record, with the Toffees one of four teams yet to win a WSL away game this season after drawing two and losing five of their seven top-flight road trips.

However, the Merseyside club can take confidence from the fact they have won each of their four WSL away meetings with Villa, including a 2-1 victory in last season's away encounter.

Aston Villa Women Women's Super League form:

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W

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Aston Villa Women form (all competitions):

Everton Women Women's Super League form:

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Everton Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Rachel Corsie, Maz Pacheco and Lucy Staniforth are closing in on a return to fitness, but the Villa trio will not be ready to feature in Sunday's home fixture.

Villa can no longer call upon the services of Adriana Leon, who recently completed a move to NWSL side San Diego Wave.

Arroyo could be tempted to make a couple of changes to the side that lost 3-0 to Leicester before the international break, with Paula Tomas and Chasity Grant among those who could be considered for a starting berth.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon long-term injury absentees Megan Finnigan, Inma Gabbaro, Aurora Galli and Kenzie Weir.

Australian midfielder Clare Wheeler will have to be assessed after she missed Everton's final two matches before the international break.

Gago, who arrived from Nantes in January, will be looking to continue her impressive form after four goals in her last four competitive appearances.

Aston Villa Women possible starting lineup:

D'Angelo; Maritz Patten, Parker, Tomas; Nobbs, Bayings; Grant, Daly, Hanson; Nunes

Everton Women possible starting lineup:

Brosnan; Hope, Mjelde, Fernandez, S.Holmgaard; H.Payne, Ladd, Hayashi, Gagao; T.Payne; Snoeijs

We say: Aston Villa Women 1-1 Everton Women

Written by

Ben Sully

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