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

The Red Devils are looking for a sixth consecutive victory in all competitions, while Aston Villa are hoping to end a three-game winless run.

Match preview

After suffering consecutive defeats to Chelsea in the FA Cup and WSL, Aston Villa were looking to return to winning ways when they faced Tottenham Hotspur in the league last weekend.

The Villans made a positive start with Kirsty Hanson and Rachel Daly finding the net in the opening 21 minutes, but Tottenham scored three goals by the hour-mark to turn the game in their favour.

Daly still managed to salvage a point for her side, scoring her second goal of the game in the 84th minute to ensure the entertaining contest ended in a 3-3 draw.

With four games to play, Carla Ward's side are sitting in fifth position - three points clear of Everton, who occupy sixth spot.

A win would go a long way to helping secure a fifth-place finish, and if they can secure all three points, it would represent Aston Villa's first league victory over Man United.

The Red Devils will head into Friday's contest in a confident mood after they extended their winning run to five competitive games with a narrow 1-0 victory over Arsenal in their most recent outing.

Alessia Russo's strike in first-half stoppage time proved to be enough to guide Man United to a narrow victory that boosted their title hopes.

The league leaders are currently three points clear of second-placed Man City, while they are four points better off than reigning champions Chelsea, who have two games in hand.

Man United will now look to extend their lead at the time when they face Aston Villa for the third time in the 2022-23 campaign.

Man United met the Villans in the League Cup group stage, losing on penalties after playing out a 1-1 draw, but they enjoyed greater success in the reverse league fixture, cruising to a 5-0 win in December.

Aston Villa Women Women's Super League form:

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Aston Villa Women form (all competitions):

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Manchester United Women Women's Super League form:

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Manchester United Women form (all competitions):

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Team News

Aston Villa are still with the services of Meaghan Sargeant and Natasha Harding, who are both in the treatment room.

After dropping out of the starting XI for the draw with Spurs, Alisha Lehmann could return to the Aston Villa side on Friday.

Daly will continue to lead the line for the visitors after scoring 15 goals in 18 league games this season.

As for the visitors, Maria Thorisdottir has already been ruled out for the season, while the hosts are still unable to call upon Lisa Naalsund due to an injury issue.

Man United boss Marc Skinner could be tempted to select the same lineup that secure a narrow over Arsenal.

After scoring in Man United's last two matches, Russo will attempt to find the net in a third consecutive game when she features up front against the Villans.

Aston Villa Women possible starting lineup:

Hampton; Mayling, Patten, Turner, Pacheco; Dali, Staniforth, Nobbs; Lehmann, Daly, Hanson

Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:

Earps; Battle, Le Tissier, Mannion, Blundell; Zelem, Ladd; Parris, Toone, Galton; Russo

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

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