Vitality Women’s FA Cup holders Manchester City will hope to overcome the first stage of their defence of the trophy when they face Aston Villa in a fourth round tie at The Academy Stadium on Saturday.
Gareth Taylor’s side have seen off both West Ham United and Everton at Wembley to lift the Vitality Women’s FA Cup in successive seasons and they now begin their quest for a third consecutive crown.
Manchester City go into their fourth round tie against Barclays FA Women’s Super League strugglers Aston Villa without defensive duo Gemma Bonner and Steph Houghton who are not yet fit to return. Left-back Megan Campbell also remains sidelined. Demi Stokes and Lucy Bronze are regaining their fitness but it is not yet known whether they will be risked against Villa while head coach Taylor could also check on the condition of both Rose Lavelle and Lauren Hemp.
Aston Villa travel to the North West on the back of five consecutive league defeats, although it should be noted that all five of those losses have come against top half opposition. Marcus Bignot’s side have arguably shown signs of improvement in their last couple of games, losing by two-goal margins at Chelsea and Everton. With huge fixtures against West Ham United, Bristol City and Birmingham City on the horizon, it remains to be seen whether Bignot will rotate his squad for their trip to The Academy Stadium.
Manchester City’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup fourth round fixture against Aston Villa kicks-off at midday on Saturday.