Aston Villa Women v Manchester City Women: Previews, Team News & Predictions

Manchester City Women face Aston Villa in a must win match if they are to be crowned WSL champions. A draw will be good enough, but the destination of the title will be determined by Chelsea’s result at Manchester United.

If the reigning champions draw against the Reds, nothing short of three points at Villa will be good enough for the Blues. However, defeat for Emma Hayes’ side would mean City need just a point from their last game. Another possibility is that both teams win, but City would need to win by three clear goals for every one goal difference Chelsea hold over United.

The latter option is likely to be ruled out and City will rely heavily on Marc Skinner’s side to beat the west London side and hand the title to their rivals in blue.

Form

Villa, who are guaranteed 7th place, have collected eight points from a possible 18 from their last six games. They won their last game, a 1-0 victory at Brighton, but have failed to win at home in 2024, drawing three and losing two of their five games this year. The last home win came in December when they again beat Brighton 1-0, Villa’s only home win in the Championship this season.

City have won their last seven away games in the league and the Blues have scored four goals in their last three matches. Their last away defeat was in November when Arsenal beat City 2-1 in north London.

Team news

Villa manager Carla Ward will be unable to call on Daphne van Domselaar and Lucy Staniforth for her final game in charge. Rachel Daly, who scored twice in last season’s opener, is available and Lucy Parker is in line for a place in the starting line-up after a successful return from injury.

Jill Roord and Bunny Shaw are long-term absentees, while Sandy MacIver is also injured. Similarly, Ellie Roebuck will end her City career on the injury table.

foresight

While City will need help from United, I think they will do their part and win at Villa. They don’t look the same team as last season and the Blues should run away comfortable winners. In the other game, I don’t see United beating Chelsea, however, my heart says the game will end in a draw and a City win at Villa will crown the blue champions.

Predictions: Villa 0-4 City; United 2-2 Chelsea