Game Details
Game: Birmingham City Women vs Aston Villa Women
Date: Wednesday 10th February 2021
Competition: Barclays FA Women's Super League
Venue: SportNation.bet Stadium
Time: 18:00 (GMT)
Watch: The game will be streamed live on the FA Player.
Things have suddenly got very interesting from the top of the WSL table, right down to the bottom.
Having seen table-proppers Bristol City secure three points last weekend against Brighton & Hove Albion, the pressure was well and truly on for Villa to lay down a marker themselves.
That they did, as on Saturday they produced a disciplined performance against Tottenham Hotspur and ran out 1-0 winners at the Banks's Stadium.
Mana Iwabuchi's stunning early strike was the difference on the day, as it gave Villa something to hold onto.
The remainder of the game, particularly the closing stages, would have been nerve-wracking for those watching on from the stands and at home.
But the win was ours, and the result itself propelled us to ninth in the league table having started the weekend just two points above the drop-zone.
Sunday's action made matters even more interesting, with Brighton beating Chelsea away from home, and West Ham United and Bristol sharing the spoils in their respective encounter.
The weekend's chaos makes Wednesday evening's match against our neighbours all the more pivotal.
Wednesday's opponent needs no introduction.
Birmingham City come into this week's game ahead of us by just one point and one place, and they picked up a well-earned point at Everton on Sunday.
Marcus Bignot spoke recently of the team's aspirations of finishing the season above their rivals, claiming survival would be secured if they were to do so.
The Villans will also be hoping to avenge November's 1-0 defeat to the Blues at Villa Park.
Form Guide
Here's how the two sides have fared going into Wednesday's matchup...
Last Time Out
Marcus Bignot
The interim boss spoke to VillaTV following Saturday's win over Spurs...
"Delighted. No better feeling than winning football matches. It's been a while for the group, but this will do them the world of good."
"Everything we're asking of the group - they're doing. We lost to Chelsea, 4-0. But I honestly came out of that game with a lot of positives, and we saw those positives go into today's game. On top of that was our ability to recognise our weaknesses from that Chelsea game, and make sure they weren't apparent in today's game. I knew if we worked on what we weren't so good at, we could get a positive result. They demonstrated everything they've been showing in training."
"If Tottenham beat us, that would have been them eight points ahead. To win, that takes us two points behind them. That's a team we're trying to catch. If we can be in and around them, or even surpass them, we're going to retain WSL status. That's guaranteed."
On Mana Iwabuchi...
"She's been brilliant. She's the standout performer on the pitch. Great recruitment from the Club to get a player of that stature. It says what a job people at this Football Club are doing to get that type of player in. As good as she is on the ball, her work rate off the ball is exceptional. She's a great role model and example for our Academy kids. That's how you apply yourself on a daily basis."
On the status of Chloe Arthur, Ramona Petzelberger and Shania Hayles...
"They haven't made the matchday squad, and I don't see that changing going into the international break which is disappointing because all three are exceptional talents and will add to what we need going forward. They're players of the ilk that can stay on the ball. We'll miss them, but we've got a group at the moment who have won their first (league) game at home, who have kept a clean sheet under pressure and under stress. Credit to them."
Lisa Weiß
Our German goalkeeper also caught up with VillaTV following the victory...
"Great win. Very happy with the performance. We did well to fight until the end, and to get a clean sheet is very important. I'm proud of the team, and how we executed our plan. We deserved the three points."
"We were organised, better so than in previous games. We still have a lot of work to do, but defensively we can't moan about it."
On the Second City derby...
"We want to go there and take three points. We are in a good way, but we need results and today we showed a good start. I believe in the team and I'm very proud of what we did today."
