Aston Villa Women entertain Arsenal Women on Wednesday evening
Aston Villa Women vs Arsenal Women Odds: Gunners Eye WSL Momentum After European Heroics
Women’s Super League | Gameweek 20
Date: Wednesday, 30 April 2025 | Kick-Off: 6.00pm UK Time
Venue: Villa Park
Villa Seek to Spoil Arsenal’s Party Mood
Fresh from booking their place in the Women’s Champions League final, Arsenal Women head back to domestic matters with a midweek trip to face Aston Villa Women at Villa Park. Riding the crest of a European wave, the Gunners find themselves second in the Women’s Super League table, while Villa are sitting safely in 10th — their survival confirmed but with little more than pride left to play for.
Villa boss Natalia Arroyo endured a torrid start to her WSL tenure, losing her first five matches by a combined scoreline that even the most loyal supporter would wince at. However, a spirited turnaround has seen Villa claim back-to-back away wins against Liverpool and Tottenham, the latter sealed by a dramatic stoppage-time strike from Kirsty Hanson.
While the Villans have dodged the relegation bullet, they’ll be desperate to avoid a fifth consecutive home defeat when they welcome Arsenal — even if stopping a Gunners side in rampant form is easier said than done.
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Gunners Still Have Business to Finish
Arsenal will arrive at Villa Park still buzzing from their stunning 4-1 demolition of Lyon in Sunday’s semi-final second leg, overturning a first-leg deficit to reach their first European final since 2007. An own goal from Christiane Endler set the tone, before Mariona Caldentey, Alessia Russo and Caitlin Foord put Lyon firmly to the sword.
While the focus will now turn to stopping Barcelona’s European dominance in Lisbon on May 24, Renee Slegers’ side know there is still domestic work to be done.
Sitting six points behind leaders Chelsea with a handful of games left, Arsenal’s WSL title hopes remain alive — just about. It would take something approaching divine intervention to snatch the crown, but extending their current seven-match winning streak is the least they can do to keep the pressure on.
Team News and Expected Lineups
Aston Villa will once again be without defender Sarah Mayling, who remains sidelined with an ankle injury, while club captain Rachel Corsie is making slow but steady progress from her own long-term layoff. After scoring a late winner against Spurs, Kirsty Hanson is pushing hard for a start and could provide some much-needed bite up front alongside Ebony Salmon and Beth England.
Between the sticks, Sabrina D’Angelo is likely to continue in goal, with a defensive unit of Lucy Parker, Anna Patten and Noelle Maritz tasked with keeping Arsenal’s forwards at bay. Meanwhile, Lucy Staniforth, Laura Blindkilde Brown, and Kenza Dali should patrol midfield alongside Adriana Leon and Maz Pacheco in a fluid set-up.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are still missing Laia Codina and Lina Hurtig, but Lotte Wubben-Moy is back in contention after her cameo against Lyon. She may slot into a defence also featuring Katie McCabe and Leah Williamson, marshalled by goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar.
In midfield, Victoria Pelova and Lia Walti should offer composure and creativity, while Beth Mead, Frida Maanum and Caitlin Foord will support Stina Blackstenius as the Gunners look to continue their goal spree.
Prediction: Aston Villa Women 1-3 Arsenal Women
With the feel-good factor coursing through the squad and momentum firmly behind them, Arsenal should have too much firepower for Villa to handle.
While the Villans have shown admirable grit in recent weeks, the Gunners will want to keep their winning habit intact ahead of their date with destiny in Lisbon. Expect Arsenal to rack up an eighth consecutive league victory — though Villa might just nick a consolation to keep things interesting.
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