Match Pack: Manchester United vs Aston Villa

By Aston Villa FC

Having fallen to defeat at the hands of Arsenal last time out, Aston Villa Women go into Sunday's clash in need of a bounce-back result.

Villa held firm for almost an hour at the Banks's Stadium, but were ultimately undone by some fine attacking play from the Gunners.

The 4-0 reverse was certainly more disheartening in result than performance, however, and Villa will be keen to take the positives from last weekend into this game against Casey Stoney's Red Devils.

Amongst those positives was the return of midfielder Chloë Arthur.

The Scotland international hadn't featured at all since our defeat to Manchester City on January 17th, and played all 90 minutes in the middle of the park.

In terms of league positioning and points totals at the bottom of the division, the landscape hasn't changed too dramatically, but the need for a reaction is not lost on the team.

Having faced one of the league's elite sides last weekend, Villa face another daunting task this time around.

Sunday's hosts, Manchester United, have seen rapid progression since winning the FA Women's Championship title just two seasons ago, and are now firmly amongst the powerhouse clubs that exist towards the top of the WSL.

By their own lofty standards, however, United have stuttered somewhat as of late.

Losing three of their last five, Casey Stoney's side have seen a slender lead at the top of the league turn into a six-point deficit.

With just seven league games remaining for the Reds, they are looking to get back to winning ways before their challenge falls short.

Form Guide

Here's how the two sides have fared going into Sunday's matchup...

Marcus Bignot

Interim manager, Marcus Bignot, had this to say following last weekend's defeat to Arsenal...

“For large parts of the game, there were encouraging moments. I spoke before the game about how we were going to suffer, but it’s about surviving in those moments. We did that really well for the first hour. We just failed to capitalise on those moments we had with the ball. The first goal going in on the hour knocked us back. After that was disappointing, but there are massive positives to take from that first hour.”

“It was important to get to the 20-minute mark after half-time. Time would’ve then been against Arsenal, and we might have been able to catch them out through counters. Credit to Arsenal, from first minute to last they commit bodies forward. They were patient. For us, it’s lessons learned from that last 30 minutes. We’ll keep working on the mindset.”

“After the Chelsea game, which was the same scoreline, there were positives to take away. There are certainly positives today to take away. We were in the game for much longer, which is a massive positive. We enjoyed more moments in this game than we did against Chelsea. We’ve got to change our mindset, if we retain our WSL status, to wanting to go and get results against ‘top four’ clubs. And not only having the ability to get results, but the belief as well. That’s what we’re trying to install. It’s coming and it’s changing.”

On Chloë Arthur...

“Chloë’s really important to us right now, and moving forward in terms of where we’d like this Club to go. She has the ability to achieve an awful lot in this game, and I expect big things from her. I was really encouraged to see her out on the pitch.”

On Ramona Petzelberger...

“(The medical team) are encouraged by her development. It will be nice to have her back soon, I look forward to that. Ramona is another one who will aid us moving forward.”

On Diana Silva...

“Di came back from international duty with a few niggles. It’s just about some TLC for her, this game just came too soon for her. Next weekend might be too soon for her as well.”

Vitality Women's FA Cup to return

The Football Association has announced the Vitality Women's FA Cup will return this season.

Aston Villa Women will enter at the Fourth-Round stage and have been drawn against Manchester City.

This tie will take place on Sunday, April 18 at The Academy Stadium in Manchester (ko 2pm).

The following statement has been released by the FA in relation to the return of this season's competition:

The Football Association (The FA) is pleased to confirm that following the Government’s recent roadmap announcement which will see the safe return of grassroots football from 29 March, the 2020/2021 Vitality Women’s FA Cup will recommence at the end of this month.

The competition was paused in January at the Second Round after the country went into its third lockdown, with all ‘non-elite’ football suspended as a result.

With the recent announcement that the suspension will be lifted in a few weeks, The FA is in a position to reschedule the first four rounds of the competition – with one tie still to be played in the First Round and 17 in the Second Round, before the Third and Fourth Rounds can be played.

The rescheduled dates – subject to ongoing Government guidance as we follow the roadmap out of lockdown - are as follows:

First Round – 31 March 2021
Second Round – 4 April 2021
Third Round – 11 April 2021
Fourth Round – 18 April 2021

To ensure clubs can plan and prepare for their upcoming ties, the draws for the Third and Fourth Round have been made.

The FA must also acknowledge FIFA’s support for completing the later rounds of the competition. Conversations concerning a date for the Fifth Round, which will be completed this season, are ongoing. Following the Fifth Round, up to three rounds, including the Final held at Wembley Stadium connected by EE, can be completed next season, with dates to be confirmed.

Vitality Women's FA Cup - fourth round draw

1. Leicester City v Liverpool
2. Middlesbrough/Hull City/Stoke City/Wem Town v Sheffield United
3. Birmingham City v Coventry United
4. Burnley/Fylde/Sunderland/Sheffield v Manchester United
5. Everton v Durham
6. Manchester City v ASTON VILLA
7. Watford/MK Dons/Wolverhampton Wanderers/Nottingham Forest v Blackburn Rovers
8. Huddersfield Town/Brighouse Town/Newcastle United v West Bromwich Albion/Lincoln City/Loughborough Foxes/Derby County
9. Reading v Tottenham Hotspur
10. Cardiff City/Oxford United/Billericay Town/Ipswich Town v Charlton Athletic
11. Arsenal v Portsmouth/Cheltenham Town/Crawley Wasps/Gillingham
12. Chelsea v London City Lionesses
13. Lewes v Southampton/Plymouth Argyle/Keynsham Town/Yeovil United
14. Brighton & Hove Albion v Bristol City
15. West Ham United v Hounslow/Leyton Orient/Chichester & Selsey/Kent Football United/Enfield Town
16. Crystal Palace v London Bees

Aston Villa is proud to support Level Playing Field’s ‘Weeks of Action’ campaign.

Level Playing Field are a sports charity who act as a campaigning and advisory organisation for disabled sports fans.

Weeks of Action aims to celebrate the positive initiatives undertaken by clubs, sporting venues and their governing bodies in partnership with disabled sports fans and Disabled Supporters’ Associations.

This season’s campaign, the 17^th annual event, takes place from Saturday, February 27 until Sunday, March 14 and will be a period of celebration and inspiration, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

With supporters unable to watch matches from inside stadiums, this year's theme focuses on 'the importance of live sport' on supporters’ well-being.

The key objective is to raise awareness of good accessibility and inclusion and how it benefits disabled fans and the wider community, driving a greater matchday experience and encouraging more disabled fans to watch.

The club has stayed connected with our disabled supporters during these challenging times, with Disability Access Officer Anthony Richards contacting disabled season ticket holders.

The Aston Villa Foundation engages disabled fans through our Ability Counts football, allowing those of all ages and abilities to take part in matches and train with their peers and a team of dedicated coaches, with players competing in the Birmingham Ability Counts League against a host of local teams.

During lockdown, participants have also taken part in virtual quizzes and catch ups, ensuring they can still socialise with their team-mates and receive any support needed from staff.

In September, two members of our Disability Teams received a special surprise when they were both treated to a day they’ll never forget.

John Morley, a Villa season ticket holder who plays for the Villa Rockets Powerchair team, and Kevin Hughes, a lifelong fan who has represented our adults Ability Counts football team for a number of years, enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at our 2020/21 media day and were invited by head coach Dean Smith to take part in the photoshoot for our third kit.

Level Playing Field training has also recently been delivered to 20 members of staff, including the ticketing, HR and safeguarding departments.

In addition, following ‘All In’ fan survey data and feedback, subtitles are being added to video media content to make them more accessible to deaf and hard of hearing supporters.

Download our app