Leicestervs.Aston Villa

The Foxes are languishing in 11th place in the WSL table, while the Villans are one point better off in 10th position.

Match preview

Leicester are sitting just three points clear of the relegation spot after winning two, drawing three and losing eight of their 13 league matches this season.

They have lost six of their previous eight WSL games, including a heavy 4-1 defeat in their most recent league outing against Everton.

That result condemned the Foxes to a fifth consecutive away league defeat, extending their winless run in WSL road trips to 12 matches.

Leicester experienced another disappointing away trip in last Sunday's Women's FA Cup clash against Manchester City, with Nelly Las' 82nd-minute effort proving to be a mere consolation in a 3-1 loss at the Joie Stadium.

They will now return to the King Power Stadium for the first time since beating Liverpool 2-1 on January 26, meaning they now have the chance to record back-to-back WSL home victories for the first time since April 2023.

Former Real Sociedad boss Natalia Arroyo has overseen a promising start to her tenure as Aston Villa boss despite beginning her time in charge with a narrow defeat to Chelsea.

However, the Villans would have taken encouragement from the fact they managed to keep the WSL leaders at bay until the 82nd minute when the unfortunate Sarah Mayling diverted the ball into her own net.

Villa built upon that performance by producing another strong display in last Saturday's Women's FA Cup clash against Brighton & Hove Albion, with Anna Patten, Rachel Daly and Chasity Grant all finding the net to clinch a 3-2 victory, setting up a quarter-final tie against Leicester's conquerors Man City.

After celebrating her first win as Villa boss, Arroyo will now be targeting her maiden WSL victory when she takes charge of her first away game since being appointed as Robert de Pauw's permanent successor.

Claiming all three points may prove to be a difficult challenge due to the fact Villa are winless in WSL away games (D2, L5) since they beat Everton 3-1 in September.

Leicester City Women Women's Super League form:

L

L

D

L

W

L

Leicester City Women form (all competitions):

Aston Villa Women Women's Super League form:

W

L

W

D

L

L

Aston Villa Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Leicester boss Amandine Miquel is unable to call upon Jutta Rantala, Lena Petermann and Noemie Mouchon due to knee injuries, while Deanne Rose is currently sidelined with a muscle problem.

CJ Bott, Sophie Howard and Julie Thibaud could all come back into the backline after dropping down to the bench for the defeat to Man City.

There could also be recalls for Janice Cayman and Missy Goodwin following their substitute appearances in the recent Women's FA Cup clash.

Meanwhile, Villa are expected to be without the services of Rachel Corsie, Maz Pacheco and Lucy Staniforth due to injury.

Arroyo could be tempted to keep faith with the same lineup that started last Saturday's Women's FA Cup win over Brighton.

Daly will continue to offer one of Villa's main attacking threats, having scored 10 goals in 18 competitive appearances this season.

Leicester City Women possible starting lineup:

Leitzig; Bott, Howard, Thibaud, Ale; Tierney, Mace; Cain, Momiki, Goodwin; Cayman

Aston Villa Women possible starting lineup:

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

We say: Leicester City Women 1-2 Aston Villa Women

Written by

Ben Sully

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