Carla Ward is set to make wholesale changes to the starting lineup on Wednesday evening, as her Aston Villa side take on Sheffield United in the Conti Cup.
Following Sunday's 1-0 win over Birmingham City, the boss has confirmed that several players from our academy system will be involved against the Blades.
Ward explained that the majority of the starting XI from the weekend's derby day victory will be given a rest, paving the way for a number of exciting youngsters to taste a first-team matchday.
Former Villa player and now-WSL Academy coach, Kerri Welsh, will join Ward in the dugout at the Banks's Stadium.
Speaking to the club's website, the manager expressed her excitement ahead of Wednesday's cup clash.
"There will be 11 changes against Sheffield United," she confirmed.
"The 11 that started against Birmingham City won't be involved.
"We've got a great academy system. We've had a lot of players up and down from the academy since I've come in and they've all been brilliant."
With Saturday morning's league encounter with Manchester City fast approaching, the visit of Neil Redfearn's side has proven to be the perfect opportunity for Ward and co. to analyse the squad as a whole, with several senior players also in line for some much needed minutes.
"We've spoken as a group of staff about when we can get these players first-team football," said the boss.
"We've decided that the Conti Cup would be a great moment for that to happen.
"It's a real opportunity to look at them and look at where the younger ones are at in comparison to Championship players."
Ward has reiterated that Wednesday's team selection is in no way a mark of disrespect towards the Conti Cup, acknowledging the fantastic work being done within our WSL Academy.
"It's no disrespect to the Conti Cup whatsoever,"
"The work that Crissy Torkildsen (Youth Technical Director) and Kerri Welsh (RTC & WSL Academy coach) have done has been magnificent.
"They've got some exceptional talent within their ranks.
"We'll be making sure that they go out there and play with a smile on their faces.
"Hopefully the fans get behind them and understand the position that we're putting them in and back & support them."
Tickets for our Conti Cup fixture against Sheffield United are available right up until kick-off. Purchase yours below.
