Brighton & Hove Albion will be hoping to end the calendar year on a winning note when they travel to The Poundland Bescot Stadium to face Aston Villa this evening.
Going into the game, Melissa Phillips’ side sit just two points above The Villans but a win could see The Seagulls end the year as high as seventh in the Barclays Women’s Super League table depending on other results.
This time last season, Aston Villa were in sixth place in the Barclays Women’s Super League table. The Midlands club are currently 10th but Brighton & Hove Albion boss Phillips believes that the club’s tough run of fixtures early on has played a part in their current ranking.
“Aston Villa are a very good side,” Phillips said when speaking in the pre-match press conference. “We went through the same stretch of games where you’re playing top four teams back-to-back-to-back. They did that in the first block of games, had it really difficult and lost a lot of games late when you look at the timing in which they conceded goals.
“They have quality in abundance in their squad throughout the first 11 and onward and we know they’ll be a difficult challenge. We’re teams that sit close in the table that will be going into the weekend looking to pick up points before the close of this part of the season.”
One player that Brighton & Hove Albion will certainly be looking to keep quiet is last season’s Golden Boot winner, Rachel Daly, who has scored four times this term.
“Rachel’s been a really key player for them, both in open play and getting onto the end of deliveries into the box,” Phillips said. “We also know that she’s a threat from crosses and second phase balls that she pounces on in the box.
“I never think there’s going to be any focus on one player though. Of course, she’s a threat and we will be aware of her inside the box but ultimately, we’re looking at ourselves and where we can improve from the last two games and really put our stamp on this game.”
Brighton & Hove Albion can proudly say that they also have a very dangerous striker in their ranks in Elisabeth Terland, who is the league’s top scorer going into Gameweek 10.
“The best part about Teri is how she adds value day in, day out in training and team meetings and the standards she demands first and foremost of herself,” Phillips said.
“She’s constantly pushing the team forward and is always asking what she can do better. It shows how hungry she is. I don’t think you have a ceiling on players who have mindsets like that.”
Brighton & Hove Albion’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture at Aston Villa kicks-off at 6.45pm this evening.