Opposition watch (WSL) | How have Aston Villa fared since our meeting in October?

It was a memorable afternoon at the Bescot Stadium when we met Aston Villa in the reserve fixture earlier in the season, with Martha Thomas netting a hat-trick in a 4-2 victory, but a lot has happened since then.

Here’s a closer look at Villa as we welcome them to Brisbane Road on Sunday afternoon (2pm KO) for the final game ahead of the international break.

Form guide

After a tricky start to the season, failing to pick up a single point in their opening five games, Villa have turned a corner in recent month and remain only six points behind us and Liverpool in the search for the fifth-place spot. However, Carla Ward’s side will be looking to return to winning ways after suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at the back end of January before, most recently, being held to a 2-2 draw with Bristol City as they were pegged back on two occasions by the Robins – claiming their first draw of the campaign. Villa have enjoyed an excellent run in the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup, reaching the semi-final of the competition after beating Brighton & Hove Albion on penalties.

Players to watch

Villa will be without their leading goalscorer this season, Rachel Daly, as she serves a three-game suspension following an incident in the Bristol City game, so all eyes will be on fellow forward Adriana Leon to provide the goals for Ward’s side. Only Daly has contributed more goal involvements than the 31-year-old this season, who has scored five goals and registered four assists – the highest at the club – in 16 games. Goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar stole the headlines in their quarter-final victory over the Seagulls in the Conti Cup, saving three of their four penalties in the shootout, and has become a key player since her move at the beginning of the season. Villa boast a number of experience players within their ranks, including midfielder Jordan Nobbs, who has three WSL titles, four FA Cups and five Conti Cups to her name, racking up over 250 career appearances. Ebony Salmon returned to Villa for a second spell in the summer, previously progressing through their academy before making her senior debut in October, 2017, and the forward has netted on four occasions this campaign.

Manager – Carla Ward

Following a 14-year playing career, including spells at Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, Leeds United and Sheffield United to name a few, Ward stepped into management in 2018 with the Blades. She took over the helm at Birmingham City in August, 2020, and steered the Blues away from relegation before taking over their rivals, Aston Villa, at the end of the 2020/21 campaign. Ward helped Villa to a ninth-place finish in her first season at the club and, then with the additions of Daly and Nobbs, helped secured an impressive fifth-place in the last campaign.

Last time out

Thomas' treble inspired us to a 4-2 victory over Villa at the Bescot Stadium earlier in the season. Daly gave Ward’s side an early lead from the penalty spot, but a spectacular effort from Thomas brought the scores level before Ashleigh Neville puts us ahead at the break. The Scotland international completed her hat-trick – the Club’s first hat-trick in the WSL - with two more clinical strikes, while Lucy Parker netted a late consolation goal.

How to watch

Sunday's match will be screened live on the FA Player. You can follow the game on our women's social channels - Instagram and X - and minute-by-minute text coverage via our Match Centre here on tottenhamhotspur.com. Match highlights and reaction will also be available via SPURSPLAY and tottenhamhotspur.com.