A Women's FA Cup fifth-round clash against Brighton & Hove Albion await Aston Villa this afternoon.
Natalia Arroyo's side take on the Seagulls at the Bescot Stadium with their sights firmly on booking their place in the quarter-final stage of the competition.
The Villans stormed to a 9-0 win in the last round of the FA Cup as they defeated Bristol Rovers on home soil at the start of the calendar year.
A hat-trick from Gabi Nunes, a Rachel Daly brace and further goals from Paula Tomàs, Chasity Grant, Kirsty Hanson and Jill Baijings safely saw the side through to the next round.
Today's visitors, Brighton, overcame Championship side Durham in the fourth-round of the competition.
First-half goals from Bruna Vilamala, Michelle Agyemang and Guro Bergsvand saw the south coast side head into the break with a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Hannah Blake pulled one back for the visitors but a late strike from Nikita Parris sealed a 4-1 victory.
The Last Meeting
HIGHLIGHTS | Brighton 4-2 Aston Villa
Aston Villa suffered a bitter 4-2 defeat away to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women’s Super League the last time these two sides met.
Goals from Rachel Daly either side of the break wasn’t enough to secure Villa any points for their efforts as strikes from Nikita Parris, Pauline Bremer, Fran Kirby and Michelle Agyemang sealed the win for the home side.
Paula Tomàs and Poppy Pattinson also both saw red in a controversial encounter on the south coast.
Team News
Lucy Staniforth and Rachel Corsie both remained sidelined and out of contention.
Maz Pacheco is still recovering from the injury she picked up against Chelsea in January.
Head Coach
“I would like to say thank you to the fans. They dream with us and they were connected to the game. Hopefully, the next games are the same and better.”
Natalia Arroyo
