by Andrew Crawshaw
In his press conference, Jonas Eidevall confirmed that there were no new injuries and that both Kim Little and Lina Hurtig are progressing as they recover from their injuries but that neither would be ready for this game. Both are expected back in training before Christmas, which might mean that they will make the trip to Switzerland for our last group stage Champions League fixture on the 21st December.
Aston Villa Players to be wary of
Their principal threat comes from Rachel Daly (the WSL player of the month for November) who has scored 8 of their goals so far this season so is averaging a goal a game. Jonas warned that it wouldn’t be that easy to just pay attention to her as they have other threats across their team.
Nevertheless as Manchester United showed last week by beating them 5 – 0, they can be overwhelmed. I wouldn’t expect us to win with quite that impressive a scoreline but would be very surprised and somewhat cross if we fail to get the three points.
Expected starting 11
Manuella Zinsberger (GK)
Laura Wienroither, Leah Williamson, Rafaelle Souza, Steph Catley
Lia Wälti, Frida Maanum
Vivianne Miedema
Matie McCabe, Stina Blackstenius, Caitlin Foord
Subs
Kaylan Marckese (GK), Lotte Wubben-Moy, Jen Beattie, Teyah Goldie, Noelle Maritz, Jordan Nobbs, Mana Iwabuchi, Michelle Agyemang
The other matches are all being played on Sunday
12:30 – Manchester City v Manchester United. So far City have had the edge over their neighbours but I rather fancy this one to end as only the second draw in the league this season. City have rallied from a dreadful start and are now looking more like their usual selves and I really cannot get over the feeling that United have overachieved this season. No matter what the result one of them at least is likely to loose ground compared with us.
14:00 Brighton v Everton. Not a lot between these two teams either; it may well be another draw. I would like to see Gio Queiroz our young Brazilian on loan with Everton get a longer run out than her customary 10-15 minute cameo.
14:00 Liverpool v Leicester. Leicester are awful this year, they have only scored two goals all season and are conceding nearly three a game. Liverpool to win this one by two or three goals
14:00 – Tottenham v West Ham. Another one that has a draw written large over it. West Ham are ahead in the table but Tottenham have played two fewer games.
18:45 – Chelsea v Reading. I don’t think that Reading have anything like enough firepower to trouble Chelsea and expect the Londoners to win comfortably by three or more goals.
Our game kicks off at 16:15 and is being broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event.
COYWG
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The Manchester Derby has just finished in a one all draw. United on top in the first half but City improved in the second. Probably the best possible result from an Arsenal point of view.
No score after 30 minutes in the Spurs v West Ham game but Spurs have had the better opportunities so far.
Brighton v Everton and Liverpool v Leicester both postponed due to the weather
Actual starting 11
Manuella Zinsberger
Noelle Maritz, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Rafaelle Souza, Steph Catley
Frida Maanum, Vivianne Miedema, Lia Walti
Caitlin Foord, Stina Blackstenius, Katie McCabe
Subs
Marckese (GK), Beattie, Williamson, Wienroither, Nobbs, Iwabuchi, Agyemang
In the Spurs v West Ham match, West Ham have scored the only goal of the game so far. 14 minutes to play.
Aston Villa lead with a well taken goal after 6 minutes. We nearly make an immediatereply but Katie McCabe couldn’t quite control the ball.
26 minutes and we are level courtesy of an unfortunate own goal. A crossfrom the right pushed out by the keeper hit a defender and rebounded into the net.
30th minute and Villa fail to clear a corner, comes to Miedema who fires into the net through a sea of legs.
Might just shut the commentators up a bit.
Half time and we lead by 2-1. Villastarted brightly but we have been increasingly dominant as the half has progressed meaning that Villa forays into our defensive third have been increasingly sporadic.
We are still not being as clinical as we need to be in front of goal. If we can just find that ruthless streak again we should emerge relatively comfortable winners.
60 minutes gone and no further score. Rafaelle replaced by Leah Williamson
Katie McCabe scores our third Hannah Hampton could only parry a cross and Katie following up had an easy tap in
83rd minute and Jordan Nobbs, on as a substitute, sweeps the ball into the net for our 4th. We are also treated to a few minutes from Mana Iwabuchi.
That’s it. A comfortable 4-1 win. Out eighth successive away win and a two point gap to Man United who only drew in the early kickoff. Still below Chelsea though on goal difference. They will probably increase it as they play their match this evening.
Now for our two remaining Champions League group matches, Lyon at the Emirates this week and Zurich in Switzerland on the 21st then a two week break till a real six pointer against Chelsea again at the Emirates on Jan 15th.
Chelsea were comfortably ahead against Reading, leading 3-0 at half time but a fight back by Reading saw them score twice in two minutes on the hour mark raised hopes of an unlikely comeback. Had the first Chelsea goal been ruled our for offside, which it certainly looked to be, then Reading would have achieved the draw which would have helped us out.
Oh well, wekll just have to do it ourselves on the 15th January
Andrew
don’t know if you heard the commentator but the following, give or take, was their comical take on that offside goal.
“It certainly looked off side. The Chelsea player certainly appeared to be in an off-side position but it wasn’t flagged. That’s very clever from Chelsea”
So no outrage at a very poor decision from the linesperson. Nope, now straying a yard offside and getting away with is ‘clever’ play apparently.
You couldn’t make it up.