Villa Park ahead of Aston Villa's Sky Bet Championship fixture against Bristol City - Photo by Dan Pentland

PREVIEW: Aston Villa v Manchester City

Aston Villa start their Barclays FA Women’s Super League adventure against former champions Manchester City at Villa Park this afternoon.

Gemma Davies’ side were the deserved winners of the FA Women’s Championship last season and now look to begin the process of establishing themselves in the top flight.

Villa’s start to the new season could not be much tougher. Davies’ side come up against a star-studded Manchester City outfit which is packed full of internationals from across the continent.

The Villa boss has a number of difficult decisions to make ahead of her side’s opening fixture of the 2020/2021 season. One of the biggest dilemmas is that Davies must decide whether to continue to keep faith with championship-winning goalkeeper Sian Rogers or turn to summer signing Lisa Weiss. As many as seven summer additions could be handed their debuts against Manchester City including Stine Larsen and Diana Silva who look certain to lead Villa’s attack from the off.

Manchester City travel to Villa Park on the back of last weekend’s 2-0 FA Women’s Community Shield defeat to Chelsea at Wembley. Jill Scott was sent-off in that match but will not serve a ban and is therefore available but youngster Lauren Hemp is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Summer signing Chloe Kelly starred for City at the national stadium last weekend and is sure to keep her place for this afternoon’s match while manager Gareth Taylor must decide whether to bring in Janine Beckie and Ellen White who were both named as substitutes for the FA Women’s Community Shield.

The two sides last met in a league fixture back in 2013. On that occasion, Manchester City were the hosts as the two sides battled to a 1-1 draw in the old FA Women’s Premier League National Division at the Manchester Regional Arena. Lynda Shepherd headed City into the lead but Carly Davies ensured a share of the spoils for Villa with a 74th-minute goal.

Aston Villa’s opening fixture of the 2020/2021 Barclays FA Women’s Super League season against Manchester City kicks-off at 2.30pm and will be screened live on BT Sport 2.

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