Aston Villa and Everton continue their preparations for the new season when they contest a pre-season friendly at The Banks’s Stadium this afternoon.
The new Barclays FA Women’s Super League season kicks-off in just two weeks’ time therefore Carla Ward and Willie Kirk will be demanding high standards from their players in Walsall this afternoon.
Aston Villa go into their latest pre-season fixture on the back of a 2-0 defeat at Manchester United last weekend. This afternoon’s match is The Villains’ first-ever in-front of fans at their home of The Banks’s Stadium.
Head coach Ward could give fans the first opportunity to see the club’s summer signings in action against Everton including full-back Maz Pacheco who only joined the club from West Ham United on Monday. One player who could be missing though is forward Alisha Lehmann. She had to withdraw from the squad which took on Manchester United after picking up a knock and her current condition is not known.
Big spending Everton are in flying form as they head towards the new season. The Blue Girls started off with a 2-1 victory over Rangers while they demolished Brighton & Hove Albion 6-1 at USM Finch Farm last weekend. Everton have also faced a Blackburn Rovers side where they are believed to have hit four goals, although the official outcome of that match was not publicised.
Swedish pair Nathalie Björn and Anna Anvegård are believed to have linked-up with their new club this week but it is unknown whether those players will be thrown straight into action against Aston Villa. Everton boss Kirk has been working with a limited forward line in his side’s pre-season programme so far with Simone Magill and Valerie Gauvin injured, the former has recently been pictured in training. Danish international Nicoline Sørensen has filled the void perfectly, starring in Everton’s previous pre-season matches and she will again be looking to impress against Aston Villa.
Aston Villa’s pre-season friendly against Everton at The Banks’s Stadium is scheduled to kick-off at 12.30pm. Fans are permitted to attend with card only admission available on the turnstiles. Admission is priced at £8 Adults, £5 Under-18s and £3 Over 65s/Under-14s.