By Paul Brown

Boss Joe Hunt spoke of "big decisions" to make as Villa Ladies travel to Sunderland Ladies.

Hunt has an abundance of riches in most positions as his side visit the champions on Sunday.

That competition for places is most keenly felt at centre-half with Jade Richards, Erin Vaughan, Dani Petrovic and Aoife Mannion all excellent exponents in that position.

Hunt also has five wingers - Kelly Clarke, Sherry McCue, Emma Follis, Chick Fergusson and Bethan Merrick - fighting it out for two places.

Not that Hunt is complaining at the choices he will have to make this weekend.

He said: "We have four great centre-halves. They all add something different.

"Ezza is a ball player like Vlaar. Pet is a combat-zone defender like Laursen.

"Jade can play and defend. Aoife is the new generation - the complete player - she can play anywhere and wherever she plays she'll end up being one of the best players out there.

"Ezza was outstanding against Charlton at the weekend. It was her first game back since she received international clearance and she was outstanding.

"She played at centre-half with Jade. She can play right-back too. She added presence, pace and defensively she was solid.

"She added a new dimension going forward too because she has an excellent range of passing. She's clever on the ball.

"Ezza and Jade played in the middle while Dani, the skipper, was struggling with her knee.

"We didn't risk her but she's fit now so I have big decisions to make.

"We have Aoife, who's a centre-back too and has come through the centre of excellence. She's playing left-back for us and doing a really fine job. Her learning curve at the moment is at full-back.

"We have great competition everywhere. We are lucky to have a quality group like we have.

"It's not only at centre-half. We have five wingers fighting it out for two spots - that's what I can competition."

Hunt wants more of the same this weekend from his team, as they look to continue the fine work they put in during the 2-0 home win over Charlton.

He added: "In the first half, they worked harder and got closer to the opposition. It wasn't just individuals, it was a team performance.

"They were hunting in packs. We stopped them playing. The work ethic was excellent.

"They were thinking about everything too, which was pleasing.

"This weekend it's the champions. Sunderland have played three, won three. They have scored fifteen. But they are the champions. That's what they are all about.

"We aren't going there and standing off them. We want to do our own thing.

"I know Paul Lambert preaches taking the game to the opposition and that's very much my philosophy too. We don't want to go all that way to just make up the numbers."

Kelly Clarke [cramp] and Emma Follis [bruised ribs] are injury doubts for the game.