Arsenal Women Ready for Showdown Against Aston Villa: Pre-Match Report
Arsenal Women are set to kick off their FA Cup campaign against Aston Villa at Meadow Park this Sunday. The match will start at 2 p.m. and marks the fourth round of the tournament. Following a recent 0-0 draw with Manchester United, Arsenal aims to secure a victory and advance to the fifth round.
Aston Villa’s Season Overview
Aston Villa currently holds the sixth position in the Barclays Women’s Super League. Their season has been characterized by a mix of results, including four wins, four draws, and four losses. In total, they have netted 16 goals but have also conceded 19.
- Wins: 4
- Draws: 4
- Losses: 4
- Goals Scored: 16
- Goals Conceded: 19
In the Subway Women’s League Cup group stage, Aston Villa faced challenges, drawing against Tottenham Hotspur and Birmingham City, but ultimately lost both matches on penalties. Their only victory came from a 3-0 win over Bristol City, which did not suffice to advance to the knockout phase.
Recent Matches
Aston Villa began 2026 on a brighter note, defeating Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 with goals from Rachel Daly and Kirsty Hanson. On the same day, they announced the acquisition of Jenna Nighswonger on loan from Arsenal.
Manager Insights
Arsenal’s coach shared his thoughts ahead of the matchup, emphasizing the significance of the FA Cup. He expressed optimism stemming from their recent performance against Manchester United, despite not securing a win:
“The FA Cup in England is a prestigious cup, and there’s history to it. We are full of fuel from the United game, where we displayed good play.”
Aston Villa’s manager acknowledged the importance of the upcoming match as an opportunity for redemption after their League Cup exit:
“This is another opportunity to fight for a title. We will face the game with a mission.”
Team News
In her pre-match briefing, Arsenal’s coach revealed that Daphne van Domselaar may return to the squad. Unfortunately, Leah Williamson will not be available due to a calf injury. Meanwhile, Chloe Kelly’s recovery is being monitored closely.
Notably, Jenna Nighswonger, who is loaned to Aston Villa, will be ineligible to participate in Sunday’s match against her parent club.
Match Officials
Lisa Benn will officiate the match, having already overseen multiple Barclays Women’s Super League games this season. She has issued 10 yellow cards and one red card in her matches, including two yellow cards during the previous 1-1 draw between the teams.
- Referee: Lisa Benn
- Assistant Referees: Matthew Joyce, Joseph Karram
- Fourth Official: Abigail Byrne
How to Watch
The match will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom on Channel 4, TNT Sports 1, and Discovery +. Fans can tune in to witness this exciting FA Cup encounter.
