Lucy Parker believes there is no better time for Aston Villa to kick on and start climbing the league table than when they take on Leicester City this weekend.
The Villans travel to face the Foxes at the King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon and Parker knows that only three points is good enough for her side.
“I think it’s quite clear, looking at the table, we need points and there’s no better opportunity to really try and kick on,” she stated.
“Three points is obviously what we’re going to go for and hopefully we have a strong second-half to the season, pick up some big points and climb from here.”
Only one point separates the two sides heading into the weekend as Villa sit in 10th whilst Leicester sit below them in 11th and Parker explains that winning this weekend will feel more like ‘six points.’
The defender said: “It’s almost like double points.
“When you’re playing clubs in and around you, especially with the position we’re in right now, every point is so important.
“So, there’s no better opportunity than Sunday.”
Parker was a mainstay in the side during the opening two months of the season until she suffered an ankle injury that sidelined her until this month, and she expressed her joy of being back on the pitch.
“It feels really good,” she shared.
“Obviously, every footballer wants to play football, so you want to be on the pitch.
“Being injured is really difficult but when you get back on the pitch I think it feels even better because you realise that you don’t take any moment for granted and it just feels really good to be back.”
The 26-year-old was immediately brought back into the starting 11 by the new Head Coach Natalia Arroyo, clearly impressing her with her defensive abilities.
Parker said: “Every player wants the backing of their manager and if you feel that you know that you can play with a sense of freedom, and I feel that at the minute.
“So, I am just trying to do my best every game, show my best, and hopefully it can go up from here.”
Parker and Anna Patten have formed a strong defensive partnership at the back this campaign and the England international is hoping they can continue to build on their connection.
“I think we both have a really good trust in each other, and we both enjoy playing with each other,” Parker explained.
“So, from here we just want to kick on and keep building that connection and see where we can go.
“I think we have a really strong partnership, and hopefully good things can build from here.”
PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW | Lucy Parker looks ahead to Leicester challenge
