Match Preview: Bristol City Women vs Aston Villa Women.

Last time out: 

City ended 2020 with a loss to league leaders Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village.

Goals from Leah Galton and Millie Turner put the home side two goals ahead at half-time, and the Red Devils extended their lead to four in the second half through Galton and Jessica Sigworth. 

Ebony Salmon pulled a goal back for the Robins against her former club however a late brace from Tobin Heath confirmed all three points for United as they won 6-1.

Form: 

Bristol City Women

Last five games: WDLLL

The loss to Manchester United means Tanya Oxtoby’s side finished the year with three consecutive losses after a string of positive results. 

The winter break would’ve provided the City squad with a deserved break after a busy schedule in December, and the Robins will be hoping they can start the new year on a high.

Aston Villa Women

Last five games: LDLWL

The quarter-final fixture with City will be Aston Villa’s first game since December 13th, where they lost 3-1 to Tottenham Hotspur in the WSL. 

Villa - like City - topped their Conti Cup group with a 100% record, scoring 10 and conceding just one in their three group games. 

The West-Midlands side will be hoping they can replicate their performance from their last trip to Twerton Park, where they defeated City 4-0.

Memory Lane:

• Bristol City 0-4 Aston Villa 
• Barclays FA Women’s Super League
• December 9th, 2020
  

The last time both sides met was just over one month ago in what was the first-ever fixture between the two sides, and it was Villa who came out victorious as they won 4-0 at Twerton Park.
 
It was a close, cagey affair between both sides early on, however it was Villa who opened the scoring when Ramona Petzelberger slid in at the far post to slot home.

Shania Hayles doubled the visitor's lead in the second half from the tightest of angles before turning provider for Petzelberger, with the forward scoring in a similar fashion to her first.

Hayles then got her second when she tucked her drilled effort past Baggaley to guarantee all three points for her side.

One to watch: Shania Hayles

The young striker proved how dangerous she can be when Villa last visited City, and with a long period of rest under her belt, the forward could be a real handful for the Robins.

The forward re-signed for Aston Villa in July 2019 after a spell at local rivals Birmingham City, and Hayles' rapid pace and ability to use both feet can prove a real threat for the Villains.

Word from camp: Tanya Oxtoby & Gemma Evans

City boss Tanya Oxtoby has been impressed with her side's performances in the Conti Cup so far, but the boss has urged her side to play with confidence against Villa and to use the result from the last meeting as an incentive to win.

“We have had a good run in the cup with some really positive performances and it’s an opportunity to challenge ourselves in a knockout game against a good Villa side,” said Oxtoby.

“We want to put right some wrongs from our last meeting with them and it’s going to be an exciting night under lights on Wednesday evening.”

City defender Gemma Evans is looking forward to the cup match, however the Wales international is still wary of Villa and stresses that her side have to give 100%.

“It’s a challenge we’re looking forward to,” said Evans.

“As a player you want to be in knockout stages and have a shot at winning competitions because you want to have those milestones in your career.

“Everyone has come in determined to make that next step because that is where we want to be. We know we’re going to have to be on top of our game to give us the best opportunity to get into the next round.”

Where to watch:

Bristol City Women take on Aston Villa Women in the FA Continental Cup quarter-final this evening live on the FA Player App at 7:30 pm.

Author: Lewis Barton