Aston Villa head coach Carla Ward says that her side cannot underestimate a tired Chelsea team when the two clubs meet at The Poundland Bescot Stadium this evening.
The South West Londoners have been playing two games a week during the last block. Their latest fixture saw them play extra-time and penalties before defeating Lyon in the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals in midweek.
Chelsea will arrive in Walsall tired and potentially nursing one or two fresh injuries but Aston Villa boss Ward says that her side cannot underestimate the Barclays Women’s Super League champions.
“The human body can only run around so much,” Ward said when speaking in the pre-match press conference. “I think Emma (Hayes) eluded to it after the Manchester City game last week that it was one game too many. They’ve had a really tough midweek game and then they have to come to The Bescot which is probably not the place where Emma wants to go on a Sunday night.
“You have to take the one percenters against a team like Chelsea. We’ve got to use those fresh legs to our advantage and try to use it in the best place possible but don’t underestimate a tired Chelsea team because that’ll be very dangerous.”
Chelsea have been the dominant force in the Barclays Women’s Super League over the last three or four seasons but there is more competition at the top end of the table this season than ever before. Ward is looking forward to seeing who can last the pace and become the eventual 2022/2023 champions.
She said “Of course, history shows that they have a team and a manager that know how to win titles but this year is fascinating, it really is; Arsenal, City, Chelsea, United all going toe-to-toe. You can’t rule out any of those four to win the league because they are all there or thereabouts for a reason, they deserve to be. All four teams have been sensational this season.
“It is certainly going to be a fascinating one. Yes, I am a manager but I’m also a fan and I’m looking forward to seeing how it pans out.”
Aston Villa’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture against Chelsea kicks-off at 6.45pm. Card only turnstiles will be in operation at The Poundland Bescot Stadium.
About The Author
