Game Details
Game: Everton Women vs Aston Villa Women
Date: Sunday 4th April 2021
Competition: Barclays FA Women's Super League
Venue: Walton Hall Park
Time: 13:00
Watch: The game will be streamed live on the FA Player.
Aston Villa Women are on the road once more this Sunday, as they take on Everton in the Barclays FA Women's Super League.
Villa go into the fixture at Walton Hall Park having not picked up a point since the start of February, and now begin a pivotal run of fixtures in the search for WSL survival.
Last time out, Marcus Bignot's side put in a battling display against a quintuple-chasing Chelsea side, but succumbed to a 2-0 defeat.
Sam Kerr struck either side of half-time for Emma Hayes' side as the Blues continued their charge towards back-to-back titles.
While the Villa performance was a much improved one in comparison to the St. Patrick's Day defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, points are the sole priority at this stage of the campaign.
Sunday's hosts are widely regarded as the 'best of the rest' within the WSL, after the elite group of Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal.
Currently sitting in fifth place, Willie Kirk's Everton side are a formidable outfit and are unbeaten in 12 league games versus teams outside the top four this season.
With only four games remaining, Champions League qualification is extremely slim, but the Toffees aren't to be overlooked.
They will want to finish the current campaign as the unquestioned best team outside of the top four.
We know all too well how diffcult a game we face this weekend, as Everton ran out 6-0 winners at the Banks's Stadium in October.
Form Guide
Here's how the two sides have fared going into Sunday's matchup...
Marcus Bignot
Interim manager Marcus Bignot spoke to VillaTV following last weekend's defeat to Chelsea...
“Obviously disappointed in the manner (of the goals conceded)” said Bignot.
“I’ve got to say - what a positive performance that was.
“We asked the group to make sure we came out of this game with belief.
“We certainly got that. We asked certain players to show different leadership skills, which you need against Chelsea. We got that as well.
“Overall, in terms of getting a group going in the right direction, there were good signs.”
“I thought we were competing for the Champions League because all we seem to be doing is playing against the top four!”
“There’s a nice build-up going into this next group of games.
“We’ll take a lot of confidence from this game and into the Everton fixture.”
Second City derby rearranged
Aston Villa Women will take on Birmingham City at the SportNation.bet Stadium on Wednesday, April 28 (ko 7pm) following an initial postponement of the Barclays FA Women's Super League fixture.
Villa were due to face Blues in the Second City derby on Wednesday, February 10 but saw the game called off due to a frozen pitch.
The revised fixture will now take place between a pair of pivotal games against Bristol City (April 24) and West Ham United (May 2).
We would like to thank Birmingham City and the FA for their co-operation in the rearrangement of this fixture.
Goodwin pens pro deal
Isobel Goodwin has signed her first professional contract with Aston Villa Women.
The 19-year-old forward recently featured in the matchday squad for our 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in February.
Having recently suffered a long-term injury, Goodwin will continue her rehabilitation before joining up with the first-team.
Sporting Director Eniola Aluko said: "We are delighted Izzy has signed her first professional contract with us.
"Izzy is a uniquely powerful talent, and is another that has demonstrated a consistent level of development and excellence in our academy.
"We are excited for Izzy to contribute to the ongoing progress of Aston Villa Women.
"Izzy is another fantastic example of the club's academy pathway, and we look forward to seeing her make her first-team debut in the near future.
Glad to have you on board, Izzy!
West Ham United fixture selected for live broadcast
Aston Villa Women's upcoming Barclays FA Women's Super League fixture versus West Ham United has been selected for live broadcast.
The crucual league clash, due to take place at 19:30 on Tuesday 20th April, will now kick-off at 18:00 on the same day, and will be screened live on BT Sport.
The fixture against the Hammers will be the first of two against Matt Beard's side within the space of 12 days.
This will mark Villa's third live game on BT Sport this season, following September's curtain-raiser against Manchester City at Villa Park and last weekend's visit to league-leaders Chelsea.
