Aston Villa and Manchester United go head to head in the WSL this weekend in a game that could have significant implication in the race for the Champions League.

Villa are well clear of the relegation zone with three games of the season to spare but could yet throw a spanner into the works in the top three battle that sees United trying to stay ahead of local rivals Manchester City.

Villa boss Carla Ward has a special and unique relationship with United fans dating back to 2018 when she was in charge of Sheffield United and the Blades took a couple of players on loan.

She has joked in the build up to this game that she expects them to continue singing her name, but insists her side are not simply turning up to make up the numbers.

This is the first game for both clubs since the April international break.

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When is kick off? Sunday 24 April, 18:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Bescot Stadium
TV channel/live stream? FA Player (UK & international)
Highlights? FA Player, BBC Sport website
Referee? Emily Heaslip

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Carla Ward labelled forward Alisha Lehmann, midfielder Jill Scott and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton as ‚big, big doubts‘ after the trio returned from international duty earlier this month with knocks, suggesting they may not feature.

On-loan defender Anna Patten will not play again this season after contracting glandular fever.

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Manchester United are boosted by the returns of centre-back Diane Caldwell, full-back Kirsty Smith and midfielder Lucy Staniforth after recent injury absences. Caldwell’s availability in particular should allow Hayley Ladd to go back into midfield after filling in as an emergency defender.

Aoife Mannion and Millie Turner continue to recover from long-term issues.

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Aston Villa: Rogers; Mayling, Corsie, Asanta, Pacheco; Blindkilde, Allen, Littlejohn; Boye-Hlorkah, Gielnik, Petzelberger

Man Utd: Earps; Batlle, Thorisdottir, Caldwell, Blundell; Zelem, Ladd, Toone; Thomas, Russo, Galton

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Aston Villa are improved this season under Ward, securing their WSL status for next season fairly comfortably with weeks of the campaign to spare. They enjoyed a significant win over Tottenham prior to the international break and are unbeaten in two league games.

But Villa haven’t taken any points off one of the top four clubs so far and were thrashed 5-0 in the reverse fixture against Manchester United back in December.

United are in decent form, dropping only two points since the start of March, and should have too much attacking quality for the hosts on Sunday.

Prediction: Aston Villa 0-2 Man Utd

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