Manchester United Women will be looking to achieve their second straight victory when they welcome Aston Villa to Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime. It is the first time this season that the Red Devils will be playing at the Theatre of Dreams. We come into this game off the back of a dramatic win away at Arsenal two weeks ago to sit third in the WSL table. Whilst, our opponents currently occupy fifth place and are looking to claim their fourth consecutive win across all competitions.
At the start of the Women’s Super League season, United rattled off five consecutive victories but were halted in their tracks when they succumbed to defeat at home against Chelsea. We responded by returning winning ways at the Emirates. Ella Toone gave the lead before Arsenal’s Frida Maanum and Laura Wienroither turned the game in their favour. However, Millie Turner equalised with five minutes remaining before Alessia Russo headed an injury-time winner.
The 3-2 victory keeps the Reds well within the title race. We are level on points with Arsenal with only goal difference separating us and three points behind league leaders Chelsea, who have played one game more. Before the defeat to Chelsea, United were on a run of nine consecutive wins in the WSL scoring 32 goals and only conceding one. This will give us the confidence to get another three points on Saturday.
Manchester United Women’s Team News
For United, the squad had a well-earned rest for the last two weeks and Marc Skinner could be tempted to name an unchanged side that played against Arsenal. This would see Ona Batlle keep her place at right back after being on the sidelines with a concussion. Alessia Russo is expected to lead the attack for the Reds as she looks to add to her three goals so far this season.
Manchester United Women Predicted Lineup
Earps; Batlle, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell; Ladd, Zelem; Parris, Toone, Galton, Russo.
Opposition Preview
Aston Villa Women are currently in a good run of form after recording three consecutive wins across all competitions. After winning against Liverpool and Reading, they got past Durham in the League Cup thanks to Rachel Daly’s 75th-minute goal. Daly has scored all of Villa’s last six goals including a hat-trick in the 3-1 win against Reading.
Villa sit in fifth place in the WSL table and they may find it tough to improve on that position given the quality of the opposition teams above them. Though a win against United would reduce the gap to three points. Their away form has been good winning the last two of three away games in the league.
Aston Villa Women Team News
Our opponents are without the services of Natasha Harding, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season following an operation on a ruptured quad tendon. The injury list does not look any better for Aston Villa as Simone Magill, Evie Rabjohn, Meaghan Sargeant, Remi Allen, and Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah remain on the sidelines.
Kirsty Hanson who joined Villa on loan this season from United is ineligible to face her parent club.
Form Guide
Manchester United Women WSL form: WWWWLW
Manchester United Women form (all competitions): WWLWLW
Aston Villa Women WSL form: WLLLWW
Aston Villa Women form (all competitions): LLLWWW
Prediction
Though Aston Villa Women are in excellent form having won the last three games on the bounce, United have a good record when playing at home. They have also not lost in the previous two games that have been played at Old Trafford. The Red Devils should be claiming all three points on Saturday.
Manchester United Women 4-0 Aston Villa Women
