Chelsea Womenvs.Aston Villa

The visitors are sitting in second place and three points off leaders Manchester City, while the Villans currently occupy seventh spot in the WSL table.

Match preview

Chelsea are set to return to league action after experiencing disappointment in the two domestic cup competitions.

The Blues were edged out by Arsenal in last month's League Cup final, before they fell to another narrow defeat in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village.

After conceding twice in the opening 25 minutes, Chelsea pulled a goal back through Lauren James in first-half stoppage time.

However, the Blues were unable to find an equaliser in the second period, ensuring they fell to their first competitive defeat against Man United.

After seeing their treble hopes quashed at the weekend, Emma Hayes's side will now turn their focus to Wednesday's WSL meeting with Aston Villa, before they start to prepare for both legs of their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.

Having won 23 of their last 24 home league games, Chelsea will be confident of claiming the victory needed to move them top of the table on goal difference or goals scored.

Aston Villa are set to play their first fixture since drawing 2-2 with Leicester City before the recent international period.

Rachel Daly netted a 75th-minute equaliser after Leicester had scored twice to turn the game in their favour following Adriana Leon's opening goal.

Having taken 20 points from 18 matches, the Villans are set to fall well short of the 37-point tally that saw them finish last season in fifth place.

Carla Ward's side have struggled defensively this season, conceding 37 goals to leave them with the third-worst defensive record in the top flight.

They will have to shore up their backline if they are to trouble a Chelsea side that has scored 50 goals in 17 league matches this season.

The Villans can at least draw inspiration from their recent away form, having won three of their previous WSL road trips, including their last two away games against Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.

Chelsea Women Women's Super League form:

W

W

L

W

W

W

Chelsea Women form (all competitions):

Aston Villa Women Women's Super League form:

D

W

L

W

L

D

Aston Villa Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Chelsea are still unable to call upon Millie Bright, Aniek Nouwen, Maren Mjelde, Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel due to injury.

With the Blues set to face Barcelona on Saturday, Hayes could be tempted to make a number of changes for Wednesday's league fixture.

Ashley Lawrence, Sophie Ingle, Sjoeke Nusken and Aggie Beever-Jones are among those who may be considered for a starting spot.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without Lucy Parker, Daphne van Domselaar, Lucy Staniforth and Kirsty Hanson.

Sarah Mayling and Maz Pacheco could return to the starting lineup after the pair dropped down to the bench for Aston Villa's most recent outing against Leicester.

Daly will continue to lead the line for the Villans, having scored seven goals in 16 league appearances this season.

Chelsea Women possible starting lineup:

Hampton; Lawrence, Carter, Buchanan, Charles; Ingle, Cuthbert; Beever-Jones, Nusken, Reiten; Ramirez

Aston Villa Women possible starting lineup:

Leat; Maritz, Patten, Turner; Mayling, Nobbs, Dali, Pacheco; Leon, Salmon; Daly

We say: Chelsea Women 3-1 Aston Villa Women

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