‘There’s always so much happening’ – West Ham games eventful says Aston Villa boss Ward | OneFootball

Aston Villa head coach Carla Ward is prepared for another rollercoaster encounter when her side face West Ham United at Villa Park this afternoon.

The two sides have contested hugely competitive fixtures in recent seasons. Both sides have scored in each of the last six meetings while there have been injury time goals, penalty kicks, red cards, explosive on-field moments and an FA Cup shootout.

When speaking in the pre-match press conference ahead of the latest fixture, Aston Villa boss Ward said that she is ready for another difficult test.

“If anyone has ever watched an Aston Villa v West Ham game, it has never been simple or straightforward,” Ward said. “There’s always so much happening.

“They’re resolute, Rehanne [Skinner] has them really well-organised and they’re whole-hearted. We’ve had really good games against them in the last couple of years, it’s always been tight, we have had a few last minute winners.

“We expect a tough test, going to [Manchester] City and losing the way that they did, they will want a reaction as well, so it’s going to be difficult.”

With Daphne van Domselaar out injured and Anna Leat suspended, Aston Villa will hand a full debut to teenage goalkeeper Sophia Poor this afternoon. Ward is pleased with how Poor has stepped up in a difficult situation.

She said “She’s been great. She’s got huge potential Sophia and I thought she handled her debut brilliantly. To be thrown in live on Sky against the champions [Chelsea] is never easy but I thought she handled herself really well.

“She cramped up a number of times as people saw and there were questions over whether it was an injury or cramp, it was cramp. That can happen with emotion and the state of the game.

“She’s had a really good week and she is in-line for her first start now.”

Aston Villa’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture against West Ham United kicks-off at 2pm this afternoon. Tickets remain on-sale and can be purchased by clicking here.