Oxtoby urges the Robins to play with confidence.

The Robins take on Aston Villa Women at Twerton Park with both sides aiming to get into the semi-finals of the competition for the first time.

City Women will be looking to maintain their form the in the cup, which saw them finish the group stages with three wins from three games against Crystal Palace, London Bees and Lewes FC.

“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.

“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.

“The players will go out and play with freedom, that has been the beauty of the Cup this year for us.

“We’re under a lot of pressure in the league and we understand that, but the cup gives us a good opportunity to play some of our more possession-based football and I’m looking forward to seeing the girls challenge themselves.

“It’s the knockout stage and an opportunity to get into a semi-final, so both teams will be going at it hard to book their place in the last four.”

Oxtoby has cited a place in the final four of the competition as massive confidence boost for the group, which could help turn the tide in the league table heading into the second half of the season.

“We’ve spoken at length about the second half of the season and about building confidence as well as keeping players fit.

“If we can do those two things there will be some success along the way and it starts on Wednesday night, so we need to go out there and be positive in what we do and when we do make mistakes to then react and adapt to the situation.

“We’ve been confident throughout the Conti Cup so far and given opportunities to the youngsters, so it has been a good balance for us this season and what better reward than a place in the semi-final if we can go out there and execute what we set out to do.”

Supporters can watch Bristol City Women take on Aston Villa Women live on the on Wednesday evening from 7:30pm.