Preview: Arsenal Women vs. Aston Villa Women - prediction, team news, lineups

Aston Villa, who are guaranteed to finish the season in fifth place, will attempt to extend their unbeaten away run to six league games

Match preview

After recording three consecutive victories, Arsenal's winning run was brought to an end by league leaders Chelsea on Sunday.

Fortunately for the Gunners, the result did not prove costly as Manchester City lost to Manchester United later in the day, ensuring third-placed Arsenal remain three points clear of the Citizens.

Even if Arsenal were to lose on Saturday and Man City were to win, there would need to be an 11-goal swing in goal difference for the Citizens to overtake Jonas Eidevall's side.

Nevertheless, the Arsenal boss will still be keen for his side to finish the campaign with a positive result, as they look to extend their unbeaten home run to seven matches.

The Gunners have tended to fare well in recent games against Aston Villa, winning their last four meetings by a combined 18-1 scoreline.

Aston Villa head into the final matchday of the season off the back of an entertaining 3-3 home draw against Liverpool.

Goals from Katie Stengel and Natasha Dowie gave Liverpool a 2-1 lead after Kirsty Hanson had opened the scoring for Villa, but the hosts managed to restore parity in first-half stoppage time thanks to a Rachel Daly striker.

Stengel struck just after the hour mark to move Liverpool back in front, before Hanson levelled the score with her second goal of the game, ensuring Aston Villa avoided a third straight home league defeat.

Although the Villans have won just one of their last five WSL matches, the 2022-23 campaign will be viewed as a success, having secured a top-half finish.

There may be little to play for in terms of league position, but Aston Villa will be keen to continue their impressive away form after winning four and drawing one of their last five away WSL matches.

Arsenal Women Women's Super League form:

W

L

W

W

W

L

Arsenal Women form (all competitions):

D

L

W

W

W

L

Aston Villa Women Women's Super League form:

W

L

D

L

W

D

Aston Villa Women form (all competitions):

L

L

D

L

W

D

Team News

Arsenal remain without the services of Leah Williamson, Laura Wienroither, Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema due to anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

The Gunners are also unable to call upon Kim Little and Lia Walti, who are sidelined with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.

Saturday's contest could be Rafaelle's final game in an Arsenal shirt, with the Brazilian expected to leave at the end of the season.

As for the Villans, they are still without Emily Gielnik, Natasha Harding, Meaghan Sargeant, and Freya Gregory.

Former Arsenal player Jordan Nobbs and Kenza Dali were both forced off in the first half against Liverpool and as a result, they could miss Saturday's encounter through injury.

Having scored 21 goals in the WSL this term, Daly enters the final weekend as the league's top scorer with a three-goal lead over Man City's Khadija Shaw, and the Aston Villa striker will be looking to wrap up the Golden Boot on Saturday.

Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:

Zinsberger; Wubben-Moy, Beattie, Rafaelle; Maritz, Maanum, Pelova, Catley; McCabe, Foord, Blackstenius

Aston Villa Women possible starting lineup:

Hampton; Mayling, Patten, Turner, Pacheco; Hanson, Staniforth, Magill; Allen, Lehmann, Daly

We say: Arsenal Women 2-1 Aston Villa Women

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