Aston Villavs.Man Utd

The Red Devils will start matchday 16 in third position, while the hosts are languishing in 11th place in the WSL table.

Match preview

Natalia Arroyo is still searching for her first points as Aston Villa boss after losing each of her opening four WSL matches.

Villa lost three consecutive league games without conceding, before they suffered a disappointing 3-1 away defeat against basement side Crystal Palace last weekend.

Lucy Parker found the net in the 85th minute to half the deficit, but Palace's Katie Stengel scored in stoppage time to quash any hopes of rescuing a draw.

As a result of the defeat, Villa are sitting just one point above the Eagles with six games left to play this season, leaving them with work to do if they are to extend their five-year stay in the top flight.

Given their precarious situation, the Villans would love nothing more than to claim their first league win since December this weekend, but that will be easier said than done, having failed to win any of their previous nine WSL meetings with Man United (D2, L7).

Man United's hopes of winning their first WSL title were dealt a significant blow in last Friday's away clash against Liverpool.

Defender Maya Le Tissier scored a consolation in a disappointing 3-1 defeat, with the result bringing an abrupt end to their six-game winning league run.

Third-placed Man United are now eight points adrift of leaders Chelsea with just six games left to play, and while they will be reluctant to give up on the title, their main focus will be on securing a top-three finish and subsequent qualification for next season's Women's Champions League.

After conceding three goals last time out, Man United will be looking to rediscover the defensive resilience that has seen them keep 10 clean sheets in 16 league matches - more than any other side in the division.

The Red Devils will also take confidence from the fact they have won their last two away games against Villa, including a 2-1 victory in their most recent away encounter in October 2023.

Aston Villa Women Women's Super League form:

D

L

L

L

L

L

Aston Villa Women form (all competitions):

Manchester United Women Women's Super League form:

W

W

W

W

W

L

Manchester United Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Villa will be without the injured duo of Sarah Mayling and Rachel Corsie, while Noelle Maritz is suspended for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Lucy Staniforth-Wilson will feature in the matchday squad after returning to training following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Rachel Daly will continue to offer one of Villa's main goal threats, with the attacker looking to add to her five-goal WSL tally for the season.

As for the visitors, they are still unable to call upon long-term absentee Evie Rabjohn, while Simi Awujo is a doubt after missing the last three matches.

Skinner is expecting Gabby George to be ready despite being forced off with a foot issue in the second half of last Friday's defeat to Liverpool.

Midfielder Hinata Miyazawa is pushing for a recall after coming off the bench to provide an assist for Le Tissier's consolation last weekend.

Aston Villa Women possible starting lineup:

D'Angelo; Patten, Turner, Parker, Tomas; Nobbs, Bayings; Grant, Daly, Salmon; Nunes

Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:

Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Le Tissier, Turner, George; Miyazawa, Janssen; Bizet, Toone, Galton; Terland

We say: Aston Villa Women 1-3 Manchester United Women

Written by

Ben Sully

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