Aston Villa head coach Carla Ward says that back-to-back top six finishes in the Barclays Women’s Super League would represent a big achievement for the club.
The Villans currently occupy eighth place in the league table but they have a chance to close the gap between themselves and the sides above them with consecutive fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
After ending last season in fifth place, Aston Villa boss Ward believes that another top-half finish this year would represent a huge success.
“I said it at the start of the season and it’s a long season, if we finish sixth this season, I’d argue that it’s a better season than last,” Ward said when speaking in an Aston Villa press conference. “Why? I don’t believe anyone has finished fifth and then finished in that top six again the following season.
“It would be a big achievement, particularly with the way that we started the season but I have the belief and confidence to turn things around. I have confidence to get the group going and believing.
“Of course, we need to keep going for top six. Is it going to be tough? Absolutely. Tottenham and Liverpool have had good seasons but could we finish as strong and knock on the door? We will do everything we can to do that.”
Aston Villa travel to the Gaughan Group Stadium this afternoon to take on Spurs. Ward highlighted the North Londoners’ attacking threats and she expects to witness a quality game of football.
She said “First and foremost, he’s [Robert Vilahamn] done a good job since he’s come in. They are playing a different way since that game at Manchester City, they’ve adapted, created less but then they’re conceding less opportunities in and around the box.
“We’ve identified where we think we can hurt them but we have got to worry about their threats as well. People talk about Beth England and Martha Thomas but [Celin] Bizet for me, has been a standout for them, she’s been exceptional. Grace Clinton is having an unbelievable season, you could argue that she’s one of the best midfielders in the league this year.
“They’ve got some real quality and threats. What you will hopefully see are two teams that play in the right way and with some quality out there as well.”
Aston Villa’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture at Tottenham Hotspur kicks-off at 2pm.
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