Liverpool Women will look to bounce back from a 4-0 defeat to Arsenal when they face Aston Villa Women in Sunday’s clash at the St Helens Stadium.
Meanwhile, Natalia Arroyo is still searching for her first Women’s Super League points after losing her opening five league matches as Villa boss.
Match preview
© Imago
Liverpool interim manager Amber Whiteley experienced a promising start to her tenure after taking over the reins following Matt Beard‘s dismissal.
Whiteley oversaw 1-0 away wins over Crystal Palace and Arsenal in the league and FA Cup respectively, before her team claimed a 3-1 WSL victory over rivals Manchester United.
Unfortunately for Whiteley, her 100% unbeaten record was smashed by Arsenal in last Saturday’s meeting at the Emirates Stadium, conceding three first-half goals on their way to a 4-0 defeat.
With five games left to play, Liverpool are currently 20 points short of their overall tally from last season, which saw them secure a fourth-place finish in the WSL.
The Reds will not replicate that achievement this season, but the sixth-place side will be keen to cement their spot in the top half of the table by recording a fourth consecutive home league win in Sunday’s game against Villa.
© Imago
Arroyo is already under pressure to oversee a positive run of results despite only being appointed Aston Villa boss in January.
The former Real Sociedad manager has lost her five WSL matches by a combined 13-1 scoreline, extending Villa’s winless league run in 2025 to seven matches.
The Villans were comfortably beaten in last Saturday’s home clash against Man United, shipping three first-half goals in a demoralising 4-0 defeat, contributing to them having the joint second-worst defensive record in the division.
As a result of their poor form, Villa are languishing in 11th place with just 10 points to their name, leaving them just one point above basement side Crystal Palace.
Villa will head into Sunday’s fixture with hopes of claiming their first league win since December, but that will be easier said than done, having failed to win any of their previous four meetings with Liverpool (D1, L3).
- L
- L
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
- L
- L
- L
- L
- L
Team News
© Imago
Liverpool are unable to call long-term absentee Sofie Lundgaard, who is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Whiteley has revealed that Hannah Silcock remains unavailable for selection after suffering a setback on her road back to fitness.
Midfielder Marie Hobinger is pushing for a recall after dropping down to the bench for last Saturday’s trip to the Emirates Stadium.
Meanwhile, the Villans remain without the defensive duo of Rachel Corsie and Sarah Mayling, who are both working on their respective injury recoveries.
Noelle Maritz is set to come into the starting lineup after serving a one-match ban for an accumulation of yellow cards.
Arroyo could be tempted to make a couple more alterations, with Lucy Staniforth-Wilson and Ebony Salmon both pushing for starting berths.
Liverpool Women possible starting lineup:
Laws; Matthews, Clark, Fisk; Smith, Kerr, Nagano, Hobinger, Hinds; Haug, Kapocs
Aston Villa Women possible starting lineup:
D’Angelo; Maritz, Patten, Parker, Tomas; Nobbs, Staniforth-Wilson; Grant, Kearns, Salmon; Daly
We say: Liverpool Women 2-0 Aston Villa Women
Liverpool will be keen to bounce back from their heavy defeat against Arsenal, and we ultimately believe they will take the opportunity to dispatch an Aston Villa side that are low on confidence after losing their last five competitive matches.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
