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

The visitors, meanwhile, will have the chance to claim a third successive victory after recording back-to-back wins in the WSL and League Cup.

Match preview

After beginning the new year with a 5-0 win over Newcastle United in the FA Cup, Man United have gone on to experience two disappointing outings against Chelsea and local rivals, Manchester City.

The Red Devils slumped to a 3-1 defeat in last Sunday's league fixture against Chelsea, before Man City edged them out in Wednesday's League Cup clash.

Nikita Parris halved the deficit in the 95th minute after Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp had given the Citizens a two-goal lead, but the stoppage-time strike proved to be too little too late as Man United fell to a narrow 2-1 loss.

They will now turn their attention back to league matters, where they have a significant gap to breach if they are to qualify for the Champions League, with the Red Devils sitting in fourth place and seven points adrift of the top three.

Despite losing their last two matches, Marc Skinner's side will fancy their chances of claiming all three points on Sunday, having won each of their last three meetings with Aston Villa.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa have bounced back from an FA Cup defeat to Everton to record consecutive victories, including a 1-0 league win over Leicester City last weekend.

They went on to record a dominant 7-0 victory in Wednesday's League Cup clash against second-tier Sunderland to finish the group stage with maximum points.

Unfortunately for the Villans, their place in the competition is under threat after the Football Association confirmed they were investigating whether the club fielded an ineligible player in the midweek fixture.

While they are at risk of being removed from the League Cup, seven-placed Aston Villa will have to focus on Sunday's clash, where they will attempt to claim their fifth league victory of the season.

Carla Ward's charges can take confidence from the fact they have won three of their last four away matches in the WSL (L1).

Manchester United Women Women's Super League form:

W

L

W

W

L

L

Manchester United Women form (all competitions):

Aston Villa Women Women's Super League form:

W

W

L

L

W

W

Aston Villa Women form (all competitions):

Team News

The hosts are unable to call upon Gabby George, Emma Watson, Jess Simpson, Hinata Miyazawa and Aoife Mannion.

Canada international Jayde Riviere is also a doubt after she missed the League Cup defeat to Man City with an injury issue.

After rotating his squad in midweek, Skinner is expected to recall Mary Earps, Hayley Ladd, Leah Galton, Ella Toone and Geyse.

As for the visitors, they are without the services of defender Lucy Parker, who is out for an extended period after undergoing ankle surgery.

Danielle Turner has returned to full training earlier than expected and could be included in the matchday squad for Sunday's contest.

Despite scoring a brace in midweek, Salmon may have to settle for a place on the bench, with Adriana Leon, Alisha Lehman and Rachel Daly likely to feature in the front three.

Manchester United Women possible starting lineup:

Earps; Blundell, Le Tissier, Turner, Evans; Zelem, Ladd; Garcia, Toone, Galton; Geyse

Aston Villa Women possible starting lineup:

Van Domselaar; Mayling, Patten, Corsie, Maritz; Dali, Staniforth, Blindkilde; Leon, Lehmann, Daly

We say: Manchester United Women 2-1 Aston Villa Women

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