Chelsea Women vs. Aston Villa in WSL: Match Preview, Team Lineups and Predictions

Sep, 21 2024

Chelsea Women vs. Aston Villa: The WSL Season Opener

As the start of the Women's Super League (WSL) approaches, all eyes are on Chelsea Women and Aston Villa, who will clash in their opening match on September 20, 2024. This game is particularly significant as it marks the first competitive outing for Chelsea under new manager Sonia Bompastor, who stepped in following Emma Hayes' departure to lead the United States women's national team. The change in leadership will undoubtedly bring a fresh dynamic to the team, raising the anticipation for a thrilling start to the season.

A New Chapter for Chelsea

Sonia Bompastor, who previously coached at Olympique Lyonnais, has already begun leaving her mark on Chelsea, leading the team through a successful pre-season. The squad celebrated impressive victories over Gotham FC, Arsenal, and Feyenoord, with the most notable being a 9-0 thrashing of Feyenoord. Aggie Beever-Jones stood out with a stellar 17-minute hat-trick in that match, signaling high expectations for her performance this season. These triumphs have set the stage for what fans hope will be a seamless transition under Bompastor's guidance.

Challenges and Opportunities

However, Chelsea's depth will be tested early on, as they face a slew of injuries with key players Sophie Ingle, Sam Kerr, Erin Cuthbert, Catarina Macario, Mia Fishel, and Aniek Nouwen all on the sidelines. The absence of such influential figures presents a daunting challenge, but it also offers new opportunities for summer signings like Lucy Bronze and Sandy Baltimore to make their mark. Bronze and Baltimore bring a wealth of experience and talent to the squad, which could prove crucial in maintaining Chelsea's high standards despite the temporary setbacks.

The predicted lineup for Chelsea Women includes:

Musovic; Bronze, Bright, Buchanan, Charles;
Nusken, Kaptein;
Kaneryd, James, Baltimore;
Ramirez.

Aston Villa’s Ambitions

On the other side of the pitch, Aston Villa arrives with ambitions of their own under new manager Robert de Pauw. Following a respectable but modest seventh-place finish last season, De Pauw aims to push the team further up the league standings. He has made several smart signings including Gabi Nunes, Missy Bo Kearns, Katie Robinson, and Paula Tomas, each bringing unique strengths to bolster Villa's lineup.

Aston Villa's predicted lineup for the match includes:

D'Angelo; Mayling, Corsie, Turner, Tomas;
Staniforth, Nobbs;
Leon, Dali, Hanson;
Daly.

Historic Rivalry

The history between these two teams heavily favors Chelsea. They have emerged victorious in all eight previous WSL encounters with Aston Villa, boasting a dominant aggregate score of 23-1. Their most recent meeting in April 2024 ended in a convincing 3-0 win for Chelsea at Kingsmeadow. While historical records give Chelsea an edge, the excitement and unpredictability of a new season always leave room for surprises.

Despite the impressive pre-season form of Aston Villa, including a win over Manchester City, Chelsea enters this match as the favorite. The combination of experienced new signings and the tactical acumen of Sonia Bompastor makes Chelsea a formidable opponent. However, Aston Villa's revamped squad and the strategic insights of Robert de Pauw could provide the necessary boost for an upset.

Match Details and Broadcast Information

The much-anticipated match will kick off at 7 p.m. UK time at the iconic Kingsmeadow stadium. Fans across the nation can tune in to watch the live broadcast of the game on BBC Two, making it accessible for a broad audience eager to witness the beginning of what promises to be an exciting WSL season.

As the WSL kicks off, players, coaches, and fans alike are buzzing with anticipation. The opener between Chelsea Women and Aston Villa not only promises a thrilling display of football but also sets the tone for the season to come. Whether you're cheering for Chelsea's continued dominance or hoping to see Aston Villa rise to the occasion under new leadership, this match is one you won't want to miss.