Preview: Aston Villa Women vs. Everton Ladies - prediction, team news, lineups

Aston Villa Women will attempt to claim a fifth consecutive victory in all competitions when they welcome Everton Ladies to Villa Park.

The visitors, meanwhile, will be looking to return to winning ways after failing to win any of their last five competitive matches.

Match preview

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Aston Villa's 2023-24 campaign got off to a woeful start, as they lost five consecutive games before they eventually claimed their first win of the season with a 5-0 victory over second-tier Sheffield United in the League Cup.

The Villans built upon that result with a 2-0 victory against Bristol City, before they claimed a narrow 3-2 win over West Ham United last weekend thanks to Rachel Daly's stoppage-time winner.

Daly was on the scoresheet again in midweek, netting two goals in a dominant 7-0 win over Blackburn Rovers in the League Cup meeting, where there were also goals for Ebony Salmon, Alisha Lehmann, Maz Pacheco and Simone Magill.

Although Wednesday's contest took place in front of their own supporters, the Villans are still searching for their first home league win of the season, having failed to win any of their last six home WSL matches since thrashing Leicester City 5-0 in March (D1, L5).

After conceding at least two goals in each of those six home games, Aston Villa will be looking to produce a solid defensive display on Sunday.

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Everton have struggled to find their best form this season, having won just one of their nine competitive matches (D2, L6).

Their only victory of the season took place on October 15 when they edged out Merseyside rivals Liverpool via a 1-0 scoreline.

The Toffees have been unable to build upon their derby-day success, and instead, they have endured a five-game winless run, which began with a disappointing 5-0 defeat to Man United.

Although they steadied the ship with a draw against Tottenham Hotspur, the Toffees went on to suffer another heavy 7-0 loss to Man United in the League Cup before they were beaten 3-0 by Chelsea in the WSL.

They had an opportunity to end their wait for a win in last weekend's home meeting with Bristol City after taking the lead on two occasions thanks to efforts from Martina Piemonte and Megan Finnigan, but after conceding two levellers, they had to settle for a share of the spoils, which leaves them in 10th position and one point behind Aston Villa.

Team News

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Lucy Parker is back training with the Aston Villa squad following a spell on the sidelines, but Sunday's contest will come too soon for the defender.

Goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar will return to the side after Anna Leat was given valuable playing time in midweek.

Having scored six goals in her last four competitive appearances, Daly will be looking to continue her fine form when she leads the line against Everton.

As for the Toffees, they are still unable to call upon the services of Elise Stenevik and Lucy Hope due to their respective injury issues.

Midfielder Aurora Galli has picked up a knock in training and will need to be assessed ahead of Sunday's fixture.

Everton have also confirmed that Piemonte will start a three-match suspension after being charged with violent conduct for an off-the-ball incident in last weekend's draw with Bristol City.

Aston Villa Women possible starting lineup:

Van Domselaar; Mayling, Patten, Turner, Pacheco; Dali, Corsie, Nobbs; Leon, Hanson, Daly

Everton Ladies possible starting lineup:

Brosnan; Bjorn, Finnigan, Veje; Wheeler, K. Holmgaard, Vanhaevermaet, S. Holmgaard; Bennison; Snoeijs, Sorensen

We say: Aston Villa Women 3-1 Everton Ladies

After beginning the season with a poor run of form, Aston Villa have turned a corner in the last four matches, and we think that they will continue to build momentum by claiming a victory over Everton.

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