Aston Villa vs. Chelsea, Women's Super League: Preview, team news, how to watch
02/01/2025 02:34 PM
Big stage at Birmingham
Two landmark signings in the final days of January, Naomi Girma and Keira Walsh have demanded most of our attention.
But Chelsea do have a game this weekend and it's one that we should be winning just as impressively as we have won this transfer window, keeping our now 20-match unbeaten run going under Sonia Bompastor.
Date / Time: Sunday, February 2, 2025, 14:30 GMT; 9:30am EST
Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham, UK
Referee: Lisa Benn
Forecast: Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze
On TV: BBC Two (UK); none (USA); elsewhere
Streaming: BBC iPlayer (UK); ESPN+ (USA)
Aston Villa team news: It's been an underwhelming season for Villa after finishing seventh in the Women's Super League last season, which itself was underwhelming compared to their fifth-place finish the season prior. They currently sit ninth in the table, with just two wins and ten points from their first twelve games.
Unsurprisingly, manager Robert de Pauw got his marching orders less than six months into the job, with former Real Sociedad Femenino head coach Natalia Arroyo now appointed after a month of interim management under Shaun Goater. Goater lost just one of his five matches in charge and nearly doubled Villa's points total in just three league games, so the tide may be turning for them a bit.
For her first match in charge, Arroyo won't be able to count on defender Rachel Corsie and midfielders Lucy Staniforth and Missy Bo Kearns due to injuries. Veteran striker Rachel Daly remains a dangerous goalscorer for them, with 9 in all competitions thus far.
Chelsea team news: Despite the unbeaten run, it hasn't always been pretty or easy for the Blues, with last weekend's 1-0 win over Arsenal a prime example of gritting out a most important victory. But that's what champions do!
The additions of Girma and Walsh should help alleviate those concerns and elevate our play to truly world class levels — both domestically and in Europe. Unfortunately, neither will be available for this one just yet: Girma's dealing with a minor calf knock and Walsh could not be registered in time (the transfer itself barely beat FIFA deadlines).
Other absences include Kadeisha Buchanan, Sophie Ingle, Mia Fishel and Sam Kerr due to long-term injuries. Meanwhile Mayra Ramírez and Sandy Baltimore are doubtful with fitness problems that will be assessed prior to kick-off at Villa Park.
Previously: Six goals from six different players in a showcase of squad depth at Bescot Stadium.
