Chelsea will be looking to continue their unbeaten run under head coach Sonia Bompastor following an impressive win over Arsenal, which marked their 12th victory in as many Women’s Super League (WSL) matches this season.
The Blues, who recently confirmed the signing of Naomi Girma in a world record deal, will travel to Villa Park on Sunday, 2 February, hoping to maintain their top form and extend their lead at the summit of the WSL table. The match is set to kick off at 2:30 pm and will be televised live on BBC Two for fans in the UK.
Recent Form
Chelsea’s dominance in the league has been evident, with 34 points from 12 matches, sitting seven points clear of second-placed Manchester United. Their latest triumph, a tense 1-0 win against London rivals Arsenal, saw Guro Reiten’s late penalty secure a hard-fought victory in front of a record crowd at Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa finds themselves in ninth place with just 10 points from their 12 fixtures. Despite a challenging season, Villa will be eager to bounce back after their recent 4-2 loss to Manchester City.
The match against Chelsea will mark new head coach Natalia Arroyo’s debut on the sidelines, which adds another layer of intrigue to Sunday’s encounter.
Key Battles and Partnerships
Bompastor highlighted the impressive chemistry between Chelsea’s backline duo Millie Bright and Nat Bjorn, who have been pivotal to the team’s success in keeping clean sheets.
The partnership between midfielders Sjoeke Nusken and Erin Cuthbert, as well as the dynamic duo of Niamh Charles and Sandy Baltimore on the left flank, has also caught the head coach’s eye.
In attack, Chelsea continues to benefit from the versatility of Mayra Ramirez and Aggie Beever-Jones, who have proven capable of contributing in different roles.
Previous Meeting
The last time these two sides faced each other was on the opening day of the season when Chelsea secured a narrow 1-0 win at Kingsmeadow. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s spectacular goal made the difference on that occasion.
What’s at Stake
A victory for Chelsea will not only extend their winning streak but also cement their stronghold on the league title race. On the other hand, Aston Villa will be aiming to secure a morale-boosting result as they look to turn their season around under new management.
