Chelsea v Aston Villa Match Preview

Photo credit: Chelsea FC

In the thirteenth match week, Aston Villa will take on leaders, Chelsea at Villa Park on Sunday the 2nd of February at 14:30 pm UTC. Will underdogs Villa be able to stop Chelsea gaining more points to extend their seven point lead in the WSL?. Here is all to know about this highly anticipated and exciting matchup.

Recent Performances:

Aston Villa, in all competitions, have had a great run of form, having three wins, a draw and one loss against Manchester City in their last five games. Their biggest win this season has been 9-0 against Bristol Rovers in the fourth round of the FA Cup, while their biggest loss has been 4-0 against Arsenal in the WSL. In their last 5 matches in all competitions, Villa have scored 19 goals. Through the WSL season so far, they have had 2 wins, 4 draws and 6 losses, leaving them 9th in the table, tied with Everton on points but above them due to goal difference. Through results such as in the Manchester City game (2-4 loss and 2-1 loss) and against Brighton (4-2 loss), they have been unable to keep their lead, often conceding later when scoring early goals in the first 20 minutes of the game. This has left Villa’s number 1, Sabrina D’Angelo with only 2 clean sheets this season and conceding 23 goals in the WSL, in which two were penalties. This ranks her 9th out of the fourteen goalkeepers this season in terms of clean sheets. This may be a weakness in the Villa team. 

In comparison, there is little to say about the Chelsea team, their quality this season has been incredible, being unbeaten in all their games this season, in all competitions in England. Defender Lucy Bronze quoted that ‘going unbeaten this season will be unbelievable’.The only team to take points off of Chelsea through a draw were bottom of the table, Leicester which took two points off of them. This brought their total points to 34 out of a possible 36. Even despite having managerial change after Emma Hayes parted from the team in the summer, in which people thought that would change their form, they have still continued to be the most dominant team in the WSL under new manager, Sonia Bompastor. In their most recent game against London rivals, Arsenal, they strengthened their lead at the top of the table, through a penalty by Guro Reiten in the 84th minute, after a red card to Arsenal’s Katie McCabe. Chelsea are a team able to capitalise on big moments such as free kicks, penalties and corners but also have the skill to create open play goals. This will be a tough match for Villa.

Players to look out for:

Villa’s main player this season has to be Rachal Daly. She is a prolific midfielder who has continuously proved her skill on the pitch. The season she has bagged herself 5 goals and an assist, being their top goalscorer this season. Her unique selling point is that she has a versatile playstyle, playing defender internationally, midfielder at Villa and being considered as a striker; this has helped her create and bag goals. Statistically, she creates 2.2 shots per 90. She changes gameplay and creates unpredictability for her opponents. We hope Daly can use her skills to take away points from Chelsea.

Jordan Nobbs has also been key in creating big chances for Villa. Per 90, she creates 1.3 chances per 90 and has contributed to Villa’s scoring opportunities. This season alone she has created 15 goal scoring chances for Villa, the most from her team; she may be vital in this very match. After being at Arsenal for over 10 years, she has much experience with rivalling big teams and this may help give an advantage to Villa as she is a prominent figure in their midfield. Her two yellow cards show she isn't afraid to defend and take other roles to stop conceding goals. She will help Villa try to stop Chelsea gaining a bigger stop at the top of the table.

Chelsea have been at their best this season. Though all players have been standouts this season, one key player is Guro Reiten, their main striker. With the most goals this season for Chelsea and also creating the most chances and big chances for goals, she is a great asset to the Chelsea team; assisting and scoring. 2 of her goals ame from penalties this season, showing she is a great finisher when coming to big pressure and game changing moments. This was prominent in the most recent game against Arsenal. She has scored 7 goals in 12 matches, in which 10 she started, showing she is a threat when in front of goal. As she is in form, will she be able to bag a few against Villa?.

In defensive terms, Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze are the most dominant defenders in the Chelsea squad. Only 6 goals have been conceded all season showing great defensive work from the whole team with Hannah Hampton being a number one contender for the golden glove (8 clean sheets). Bronze has been the most successful in the WSL in most defensive interceptions; all of this without getting any cards to her name. This is effective defending; to not concede any goal scoring opportunities through fouls. She also is a brilliant crosser, having 2 assists this season and contributes as a forward winger at times in play. Bright is also the same, having great discipline on the field, with no cards. She is also an accurate passer, which contributes to success transition across the pitch to the final third; this is also with long balls which help strikers create pace and 1v1 situations. Chelsea's defense will be hard to beat.

Chelsea have recently signed globally renowned American centre back, Noami Girma, on a world record transfer of around £900,000. This is a big development in the women's game, showing the sheer quality that the women's game has to offer. She was unveiled at Stamford Bridge just before kick-off in Sunday's game against Arsenal. However, she has a ‘small injury’ and will not be available for the match this weekend. This shows that Chelsea are able to attract the world's best and continue to dominate the English and European competitions as top contenders; for the league but also the Champions League.

The Statistical Predictions:

There is no doubt Chelsea are the favourites for this match - unbeaten in all games this season, even away from home they will be the ones to beat. In every match since 2021, Chelsea have beaten Villa consecutively (last 11 meetings).

Aston Villa XI: D’Angelo, Patten, Grant, Turner, Pacheco, Mayling, Daly, Nobbs, Hanson, Taylor, Baijings.

Chelsea XI: Hampton, Bronze, Bright, Charles, James, Reiten, Kaneryd, Baltimore, Cuthbert, Macario, Nusken.

You can watch the match live on BBC Two and BBC Sport in the United Kingdom.

(all stats from fotmob.com)