Chelsea manager Emma Hayes believes that latest opponents Aston Villa have a good chance of challenging for a top-four place in the Barclays Women’s Super League next season.
The two clubs renew their rivalry at The Poundland Bescot Stadium this afternoon when they contest a Vitality Women’s FA Cup semi-final. Chelsea are bidding to retain the trophy for a third year while a first trip to Wembley is the prize for Aston Villa if they can cause an upset and win the tie.
Aston Villa have enjoyed significant growth this season and Carla Ward’s side are closing in on a fifth-place finish in the Barclays Women’s Super League, their highest-ever placing. When speaking to the media ahead of this afternoon’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup semi-final, Chelsea boss Hayes said that she expects Aston Villa to challenge for a top-four place next season.
“I think so, I think Carla has done a great job,” Hayes said when discussing Aston Villa’s chances of challenging for the top-four next season. “She has built a team that has been very efficient against the top teams, especially from set pieces and transition.
“The next step for them will be how do you be even more than that? She will know that and she will have to keep improving her squad to do that.
“They’ve had an amazing season so far and they have been consistent in their performances throughout. I could see Aston Villa very much taking a step next year to compete for the top-four.”
Chelsea took on Aston Villa in a Barclays Women’s Super League fixture at the same venue just a fortnight ago, The Blues winning that game 3-0. Hayes went on to say that she expects a very different challenge in Walsall this afternoon.
She said “The fact that it is a cup game, it will be different. Villa were disappointed about their performance (last time) and I’d expect an aggressive performance from them at home in front of a packed crowd.
“I think it’ll be a very different game, it’ll be a difficult game and anything can happen. We will prepare as we do every week, there’s a cup final on the line. For us, we will be as prepared as we always are and come the end of the game, we want to be going to Wembley.”
Chelsea’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup semi-final tie at Aston Villa kicks-off at 2.15pm.
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