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

Aston Villa Women will attempt to bounce back from their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea when they face Tottenham Hotspur Ladies in the Women's Super League on Sunday.

While the Villans occupy fifth place in the WSL table, Spurs are currently sitting in ninth position after losing 11 of their last 12 league games.

Match preview

© Reuters

Tottenham have been unable to build upon the 1-0 victory that they recorded over Leicester City in Vicky Jepson's first game in charge as interim boss.

Since the narrow victory, Spurs have suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat to North London rivals Arsenal and been beaten 2-1 by Everton.

Their away meeting with the Toffees looked set to end in a draw when Eveliina Summanen cancelled out Nicoline Sorensen's opener, but a stoppage-time winner from Aggie Beever-Jones ensured that Spurs fell to a fourth consecutive away defeat.

With five games left to play in the 2022-23 campaign, Tottenham are sitting just two points above Leicester City, who occupy the sole relegation place.

Scoring first will be crucial for the North London side, who have lost all 10 league games this season when they have conceded the opening goal.

© Reuters

After losing 3-0 to Chelsea prior to the international break, Aston Villa were looking for revenge when they faced the Blues in the FA Cup semi-finals last weekend.

The contest was a much closer encounter than the league meeting, but it ultimately ended in defeat for Aston Villa, with Sam Kerr's second-half strike proving to be the difference.

Carla Ward's side will now have to pick themselves up from the 1-0 semi-final defeat, as they turn their attention back to league matters.

The Aston Villa boss will still view the 2022-23 campaign as a success, with the Villans set to finish in fifth position - an improvement on last season's ninth-place finish.

They are yet to lose a WSL away game in 2023, and they will be looking to claim a fourth consecutive away league victory on Sunday.

Team News

© Reuters

Tottenham are still without the services of Ellie Brazil, Shelina Zadorsky, Ramona Petzelberger and Kyah Simon, who are all working their way back from injury issues.

Ria Percival has been sidelined for a year, but Jepson has revealed that she could make her return to the matchday squad on Sunday.

After dropping down to the bench against Everton, Drew Spence may be brought back into the lineup to feature in the frontline alongside Beth England.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Meaghan Sargeant and Natasha Harding, who are both ruled out through injury.

Sarah Mayling returned from a two-game injury absence to feature at right-back last weekend, and she will keep her place for Sunday's encounter with Ward expected to name an unchanged lineup

Rachel Daly will continue to lead the line for the Villans, and she will be looking to add to the 13 league goals that she has scored this season.

Tottenham Hotspur Ladies possible starting lineup:

Spencer; Neville, Turner, Bartrip, Harrop; Ayane, James, Summanen, Bizet; England, Spence

Aston Villa Women possible starting lineup:

Hanpton; Mayling, Turner, Patten, Pacheco; Dali, Staniforth, Nobbs; Lehmann, Hanson, Daly

We say: Tottenham Hotspur Ladies 1-3 Aston Villa Women

Aston Villa have been in fine form on their travels, and we think that they will claim a fifth consecutive away victory when they face a struggling Tottenham side on Sunday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.