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

The Citizens will have the chance to claim consecutive victories, while the Villans are looking to bounce back from a defeat to Everton.

Match preview

Man City are currently sitting in third place after winning five, drawing one and losing two of their eight league games.

After beginning November with back-to-back defeats against Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion, the Citizens got back on track in their final two games prior to the international break.

They claimed a statement 3-1 win over rivals Manchester United, before they hammered Tottenham Hotspur 7-0 in a game where Bunny Shaw netted a first-half hatrick.

Lauren Hemp and Jill Roord found the net in quick succession to make it five, and Laura Coombs went on to round off the dominant display with a brace.

As a result of their impressive display, Man City are the joint second-highest scorers in the top flight, while they also boast the best defensive record in the WSL with just five goals conceded.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, began the 2023-24 campaign with a woeful run of results, as they fell to five consecutive defeats in all competitions.

Fortunately for Carla Ward's side, they managed to turn the tide with four successive victories, including WSL wins over Bristol City and West Ham United.

Although they experienced an upturn in fortunes, the Villans were unable to carry their winning run into the international period after they were beaten by Everton in their final game before the two-week break.

Rachel Daly managed to cancel out Anna Patten's own goal, but there was to be no coming back when Nathalie Bjorn netted a 74th-minute penalty to condemn Aston Villa to a 2-1 home defeat, leaving them in 10th position and two points above the relegation place.

While the Villans face a tough test in their final away fixture of 2023, they do have the chance to finish the calendar year with three consecutive away wins in the WSL.

Manchester City Women Women's Super League form:

W

W

L

L

W

W

Manchester City Women form (all competitions):

Aston Villa Women Women's Super League form:

L

L

L

W

W

L

Aston Villa Women form (all competitions):

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Team News

Having reported no fresh injury concerns, Man City boss Gareth Taylor could have a full complement of players to choose from for Saturday's contest.

After seeing his side sweep past Tottenham before the international break, Taylor may decide to name an unchanged starting lineup.

Shaw will be hoping to add to the six league goals she has scored this season when she leads the line for the hosts.

As for Aston Villa, they could welcome Lucy Parker back into the matchday squad following a spell on the sidelines.

After dropping down to the bench for the defeat to Everton, Laura Blindkilde could return to the lineup for Saturday's away fixture.

Having scored seven goals in her last five club appearances, Daly will be looking to pick up from where she left off before the international break.

Manchester City Women possible starting lineup:

Keating; Aleixandri, Kennedy, Greenwood, Ouahabi; Hasegawa, Angeldahl; Hemp, Roord, Kelly; Shaw

Aston Villa Women possible starting lineup:

Van Domselaar; Mayling, Patten, Turner, Pacheco; Dali, Corsie, Blindkilde; Leon, Hanson, Daly

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

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