Match Pack: Man Utd

At A Glance

Aston Villa Women take a three-game winning run into Saturday's Barclays WSL battle against Manchester United.

Carla Ward's side have been in impressive form, securing victories against Liverpool, Reading and Durham during the month of November.

The results have seen Villa vault into fifth place in the WSL and couldn't ask to be in better nick heading into a monumental test at Old Trafford this weekend.

Facing the Red Devils will be a strong representation of Villa's progress.

Saturday's hosts are Marc Skinner's Manchester United.

The Red Devils are once again in the upper echelon of teams in the WSL and will have aspirations of qualifying for the UEFA Women's Champions League come May.

Those aims won't have been harmed in any way the last time United took to the field.

Skinner's side recorded a statement 3-2 victory against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, firmly placing themselves in the title conversation.

Kirsty Hanson is currently on-loan at Villa from United and is ineligible to face her parent club this weekend.

The Last Meeting

Villa Women continued an unbeaten start to the season with a shootout victory over United the last time these two sides met back in October.

The score was 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Lionesses Nikita Parris and Rachel Daly converting from open play.

And with a bonus point left to play for, Villa prevailed from the penalty spot thanks to four saves from Anna Leat and a winning kick from Maz Pacheco.

Team News

Carla Ward confirmed Emily Gielnik will be in contention for minutes during Friday morning's pre-match press conference.

The Australian forward had been sidelined with a calf injury but has been named on the bench for our last two outings.

Ward says our no. 9 is likely to see some game time against United.

Elsewhere, Meaghan Sargeant, Remi Allen, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, Tash Harding, Simone Magill and Evie Rabjohn remain out with long-term injuries.

Kirsty Hanson is ineligible to face her parent club.

The Boss