Fixtures
- Arsenal Women Vs. Aston Villa Women – Sun, Dec 8th 2024, 14:00
Aston Villa return to action this afternooon as they travel to take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Robert de Pauw’s will be searching to make it back-to-back wins and continue their good run of form in the Women’s Super League.
The side were last in league action three weeks ago as they secured a dramatic3-2 win over Crystal Palace at Villa Park.
Despite dominating the opening quarter, Villa found themselves behind as My Cato put the visitors ahead.
A positive response from the Villans saw goals Anna Patten and Rachel Daly put their side in control heading into the break.
Annabel Blanchard then pulled the Eagles level late on but Villa refused to settle for a point and Ebony Salmon came off the bench to net a 90+4 wonder goal to seal the win.
Arsenal were also victorious in their last league outing as they beat North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 away from home.
First-half goals from Alessia Russo and Frida Maanum put the Gunners firmly in control heading into the break.
Stina Blackstenius then came off the bench to wrap up the dominating victory.
Stats
Only Manchester City and Manchester United have a better win rate in London in the WSL than Aston Villa among teams from outside the capital.
Arsenal have won their last two WSL games without conceding.
Jordan Nobbs has turned 32 years old today and could become the 10th different player to score a WSL goal on their birthday.
The Last Meeting
Aston Villa Women lost 3-1 to Arsenal at Villa Park the last time these two sides met back in March.
Ebony Salmon opened the scoring at Villa Park with her second goal in as many games, but Arsenal produced a three-goal second half to take the game away from their opponents.
Victoria Pelova smashed home from a rebound just nine minutes into the final period before a quickfire double from Lotte Wubben-Moy and Stina Blackstenius completed the scoring.
Team News
Lucy Parker (ankle) remains sidelined after suffering an ankle injury.
Jill Baijings (back) has returned to team training.
Rachel Corsie (knee) has returned to individual training on the grass.
Manager’s Pre-match Thoughts
“Arsenal are a very good team, I have seen the qualities they have. But we for certain have confidence in ourselves and we have shown we can do stuff (against the current top four) so let’s try and make the next step in the next game, give our all and give Arsenal a big challenge. – Robert de Pauw
