Opposition watch | Villa vs Spurs (Women's Super League)
Spurs Women take on Aston Villa in the Women's Super League at Walsall's Bank's Stadium in Saturday's early 12.30pm kick-off. Here's the lowdown on Villa...
Form
It's been a case of what might have been for Villa so far in the WSL in 2023/24. Late, late goals have cost them in narrow defeats on the opening weekend to United, where they led 1-0 only to lose 2-1 in the 93rd minute and last weekend against Arsenal at the Emirates, where they led 1-0 via Maz Pacheco's 25th-minute goal only for the officials to show 12 minutes added time - Arsenal struck on 90+2 and 90+4 to turn it around. In between those games, manager Carla Ward was less satisfied with the display in a 2-0 loss against Liverpool.
Players to watch
A key player in England's Euro 22 success and run to the World Cup Final this year, forward Rachel Daly scored 30 goals in 30 games in her first season at Villa last term, including 22 in 22 in the WSL. One of England's greats, she spent seven years at NWSL side Houston Dash in America (42 goals in 118 appearances) and has 14 goals in 78 caps for the Lionesses. Midfielder Jordan Nobbs has a similar profile, 71 England caps and three WSL titles under her belt in 12 years at Arsenal. Villa snapped up Dutch goalkeeper and three-time Eredivisie winner Daphne van Domselaar in the summer alongside former United and West Ham winger Adriana Leon - 101 caps for Canada to her name. Meanwhile, Scottish international Kirsty Hanson is now a Villa player after initially joining on loan from United last season.
Manager - Carla Ward
After a 14-year playing career that took in spells at Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, Sporting Plaze de Argel in Spain, Leeds, Lincoln, Sheffield FC and Sheffield United, Carla Ward stepped into management at Bramall Lane in 2018, leading the Blades to second in the Championship. She was named on the WSL Manager of the Season shortlist after steering Birmingham City clear of relegation in 2020/21 before moving across the city to Villa in 2021. Villa finished ninth in her first season but with the likes of Daly and Nobbs on board, Villa climbed to an impressive fifth last season.
Last time we met
It was a six-goal thriller when we last met Villa towards the end of last season in the WSL at Leyton Orient's Brisbane Road. Kirsty Hanson and Rachel Daly fired Villa into a 2-0 lead only for Eveliina Summanen to level it with goals on 27 and 47 minutes. Bethany England then put us ahead on the hour only for her Lionesses team-mate Daly to make it 3-3 six minutes from time.
How to follow
Saturday's match will be screened live via 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 this website.