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

The Villans occupy fifth position, while the visitors are propping up the WSL table after picking up seven points from 15 league games.

Match preview

Aston Villa will be riding a crest of a wave after they knocked Manchester City out of the FA Cup to secure their place in the semi-finals.

The Villans took the lead against Man City through Rachel Corsie, before Deyna Castellanos restored parity in the 38th minute.

No goals were forthcoming in the second period, ensuring the contest went into extra time, where Rachel Daly proved to be Aston Villa's match-winner to set up a last-four meeting with cup holders Chelsea.

The result also extended the Villans' unbeaten run to seven competitive games, ensuring they head into Sunday's contest in a confident mood.

Aston Villa boast an impressive head-to-head record with Leicester, having won the last four competitive meetings.

Leicester have had over 10 days to mull over a 1-0 defeat to relegation rivals Tottenham Hotspur, which extended their winless run to three games.

Having lost 12 of their 15 league matches, Leicester head into the weekend with one point separating them from safety.

Finding the net has proven to be an issue for the Foxes, who are the league's lowest scorers with just seven goals to their name this season.

The visitors are also yet to score more than one goal in an away league game this term, which will concern Leicester boss Willie Kirk.

Having lost all 11 WSL games this season where they have conceded first, Leicester will be desperate to make a positive start on Sunday.

Aston Villa Women Women's Super League form:

W

D

D

W

W

W

Aston Villa Women form (all competitions):

Leicester Women Women's Super League form:

W

L

W

L

D

L

Leicester Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Aston Villa are unable to call upon Emily Gielnik and Ruesha Littlejohn, who are ruled out with ankle and knee injuries respectively.

The Villans are also without the services of Remi Allen, Simone Magill, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, Meaghan Seargeant and Natasha Harding.

Due to Aston Villa's injury crisis, Carla Ward has revealed that five academy players will feature in the matchday squad.

As for the visitors, Jess Sigsworth is closing in on a return from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, but Sunday's game will come too soon.

Shannon O'Brien and Abbie McManus remained sidelined, however, Kirk is hopeful that the pair will be back in action by the end of the season.

After spending time away with the England under-17 side, Ava Baker could be presented with a place in the Leicester lineup.

Aston Villa Women possible starting lineup:

Hampton; Mayling, Turner, Patten, Corsie; Dali, Nobbs, Staniforth; Blindkilde, Hanson, Daly

Leicester Women possible starting lineup:

Leitzig; Baker, Howard, Plumptre, Nevin; Green, Mace; Whelan, Tierney, Cain; Siemsen

We say: Aston Villa Women 2-1 Leicester Women

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