The 2022/2023 FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup gets underway on Saturday when Aston Villa take on Manchester United at The Poundland Bescot Stadium.
Neither club has ever lifted the trophy before, however, they will both see this year’s competition as another potential development step as they look to further establish themselves at the very highest level of the women’s game.
Aston Villa head coach Carla Ward used last season’s competition to field a number of the club’s youngsters with Barclays Women’s Super League survival having been the priority. The club’s excellent recruitment in the last two transfer windows has contributed to increased expectancy this season and Ward is hoping that her side put up a much stronger challenge in the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup.
The Villans go into the match without the services of long term absentees Remi Allen and Simone Magill. Ruesha Littlejohn and Anna Patten are also out but Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and Natasha Harding will be available. Head coach Ward could opt to make a couple of changes but she is likely to field a very strong XI.
Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner remains without Aoife Mannion and Rachel Williams who are not yet ready to return. Skinner will use his side’s squad depth to make several changes to his starting line-up. Sophie Baggaley, Aïssatou Tounkara, Maria Thorisdóttir, Jade Moore, Vilde Bøe Risa, Nikita Parris, Adriana Leon and Martha Thomas are amongst those who will be hoping to come in.
The FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup fixture between Aston Villa and Manchester United kicks-off at 12.30pm on Saturday afternoon.