WSL 23/24 | Aston Villa v United - 12:30 on Sun 1 Oct

[jojojo]

Just an international break to get through and then the women start their season. Terrible time for an international break but what else is new?

Villa finished last season in fifth. Carla Ward is an excellent manager and has assembled an impressive team. Familiar names like Rachel Daly and Jordan Nobbs have now been joined by Daphne van Domselaar. Strong United connections as well with Katie Hanson, Lucy Staniforth, Adriana Leon and Ebony Salmon all in their squad.

This one's at Villa Park. Tickets at:
https://tickets.manutd.com/en-GB/categories/womens-away

Match is live on BBC2 and the BBC website.

 

[Demon Barber]

Just an international break to get through and then the women start their season. Terrible time for an international break but what else is new?

Villa finished last season in fifth. Carla Ward is an excellent manager and has assembled an impressive team. Familiar names like Rachel Daly and Jordan Nobbs have now been joined by Daphne van Domselaar. Strong United connections as well with Katie Hanson, Lucy Staniforth, Adriana Leon and Ebony Salmon all in their squad.

This one's at Villa Park. Tickets at:
https://tickets.manutd.com/en-GB/categories/womens-away

Match is live on BBC2 and the BBC website.

It will be a tough opening fixture, no doubt about it. Villa have strengthened. Our signings look promising, but the loss of Battle and Russo was a blow, so no idea if we are stronger or not.

I expect Skinner to go with his usual team from last season, with Geyse and (hopefully) Riviere starting. Our bench will be strong - let's hope that he is more adventurous with substitutions this year.

 

[jojojo]

United may have help in this match - from Villa's new kit supplier

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[Lightbringer]

United may have help in this match - from Villa's new kit supplier

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Alisha Lehmann fans now salivating, can the game start already?

Its a tough away game as they come, so we could need all the assistance we can get!

 

[top1whoisman]

Good news regarding Riviere, she's in contention for Sunday!

"When we played Bayern Munich, she blocked a shot and it kind-of adjusted her knee a little bit," Skinner said.

"Nothing too serious. She has been on a rehab phase to come back.

"Jayde will train this morning and she will be in contention for the game on Sunday.

"She is now clear to enter full training so hopefully no recurrence and she will be okay."

 

[jojojo]

Skinner talking about the impact of the WWC and then the September international breaks on our pre-season. They had "most of the squad" available together for 5 days.

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[Ubik]

No pressure on them but basically on them to single-handedly save the weekend now. Geyse brace please.

 

[madi5h]

Skinner talking about the impact of the WWC and then the September international breaks on our pre-season. They had "most of the squad" available together for 5 days.

I hate to see excuses being made BEFORE a game, plus this is complaining about having international players, in other words better players, and our real rivals have to deal with the same.
comes across a bit whingey tbh

 

[Lightbringer]

I hate to see excuses being made BEFORE a game, plus this is complaining about having international players, in other words better players, and our real rivals have to deal with the same.
comes across a bit whingey tbh

Last time Skinner was thrown to the wolves he lead us to 2nd place in the league. Lets hope he proves us wrong again, haha.

I cant believe its only hours to an actual game after all the silly season chats for months!

 

[Demon Barber]

Last time Skinner was thrown to the wolves he lead us to 2nd place in the league. Lets hope he proves us wrong again, haha.

I cant believe its only hours to an actual game after all the silly season chats for months!

Skinner does have a point, but of course it has been the same for all the top sides.

Anyway, I am on the Megabus to Birmingham now. Looking forward to this one. Hopefully we get off to a good start and they give us all something to smile about after yesterday's disappointment.

 

[jojojo]

I hate to see excuses being made BEFORE a game, plus this is complaining about having international players, in other words better players, and our real rivals have to deal with the same.
comes across a bit whingey tbh

I haven't seen the interview but I'm guessing it's a direct answer to a question about this year's pre-season. All the WSL managers have been asked about the timetable and most of them have complained about last week's international break in particular.

 

[Ubik]

My lineup guess:

Earps
Blundell
George
Le Tissier
Turner
Zelem
Ladd
Parris
Toone
Galton
Geyse

Essentially the standard 11 last year with the gaps filled, doubt Skinner will be wanting to shake things up too much given the tough start.

 

[Rood]

Debuts for George and Geyse - look forward to see more new signings from the bench

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[Ubik]

Pleasantly surprised at Garcia over Parris. Hopefully Malard isn't injured or anything.

 

[ForeverRed1]

Excited to see Hinata and Irene G come on hopefully. Brilliant that the game is on BBC2.

 

[jojojo]

Villa looking tidier than us at the moment but it's s lively start. Could be an entertaining game.

 

[top1whoisman]

A good start in my opinion. Villa have a very good team and I kind of feared we’d be under heavy pressure from the first second.

 

[cj_sparky]

I know the reasons for it, but the shorts make this kit look like Liverpool of the late 80's.

 

[top1whoisman]

Those Le Tissier through balls…

 

[top1whoisman]

Some decent press from us, strong in tackles too.

 

[Zoo]

Oof good save

 

[RedDevilQuebecois]

SO close by Geyse. Good attack by the ladies.

 

[top1whoisman]

Geyse almost. She made the angle a bit too tight.

 

[cj_sparky]

That was a good save.

 

[top1whoisman]

Think Galton would’ve got to the ball if she went for it.

 

[top1whoisman]

Good run from Geyse. George has slotted in nicely. Probably helps that she knows some of the players so well.

 

[top1whoisman]

The thing I love about this team that we look so drilled in terms of pressing. We do it so well as a unit. Whenever there’s a chance we overload the opponent with the ball and more often than not end up stealing the ball.

 

[sglowrider]

Good run from Geyse. George has slotted in nicely. Probably helps that she knows some of the players so well.

Geyse has a good pace. I think she is hoping for a more direct approach to take advantage of her pace in beating the villa defence..

 

[Berbaclass]

Geyse looks pretty good

 

[top1whoisman]

Brilliant piece of defending from García. Making most of her rare opportunity to start. Good competition for the RW spot, I like Parris too.

 

[Eric_the_Red99]

Quite promising so far. George and Geyse slotting in nicely. Defence looks solid and organised, and there’s surely loads of goals in that forward line of Toone/Galton/Garcia/Geyse once they get up to speed.

 

[top1whoisman]

Turner close to another headed goal from a set piece.

 

[RedDevilQuebecois]

I know that Garcia was offside, but that attempt on goal could have been a little more convincing.

That being said, referees need to blow the whistle ASAP if the offside is that obvious.

 

[top1whoisman]

A good half an hour from us. Daly & Hanson have barely seen the ball. Strong defending from the front, they’re struggling to find any space as we’re so compact.

 

[Ubik]

Yellow card for jumping for the ball...

 

[sglowrider]

How is that a yellow? The ref will be getting arthritic elbows at this rate.

 

[jojojo]

Geyse looking a real handful to deal with. Just need a goal now.

 

[Lightbringer]

Yellow card for jumping for the ball...

Yes, the ref saw the the Villa player went down and immediately began searching for the yellow card in her pocket, sighs.

 

[top1whoisman]

García our best player (alongside Le Tissier) so far. Very direct.

 

[sglowrider]

Let's hope for all this possession we get a goal out of it. Deja vu