‘We’re under no illusion of the task ahead’ – Aston Villa boss Ward previews Everton clash | OneFootball

After a statement victory in the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup on Wednesday evening, Aston Villa head coach Carla Ward is hoping that her side can carry momentum into their Barclays Women’s Super League fixture against Everton on Sunday.

The Villans claimed a huge 7-0 victory over Barclays Women’s Championship club Blackburn Rovers at The Poundland Bescot Stadium on Wednesday evening and they will be hoping to pick up from where they left off against Everton this weekend.

When speaking to the media in the pre-match press conference, Ward reflected on the important role that the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup plays in building her side’s confidence going forward.

“We can’t underestimate the importance of the timing of those two games,” Ward said. “I think it’s been between games that’s allowed us to get people confident, get the team confident, implement the way we want to play. It’s been massive this year for us.”

Aston Villa’s next fixture in the Barclays Women’s Super League sees them face Brian Sørensen’s Everton side at Villa Park. The visitors are currently in 10th position in the league table off the back of a difficult start to the season. Despite Everton having only picked up the one victory in the league so far, Ward said that her side are under no illusion of the task ahead.

She said “You can see what he’s [Sørensen] trying to do. They’ve got a way of playing and they’re better than their league position suggests, they’ve played some good stuff. I thought they were excellent against Chelsea and what I would say is I think it would be very naive to think this is going to be an easy game because of their run.

“Since Brian has come in, he’s implemented a way and they’re never an easy team to play against. They’ve got a lot of quality so we’re going to absolutely be at our best. It’s really important that we take this as a big challenge because that’s exactly what it’s going to be.”

After facing a difficult start to the season, Aston Villa have picked up back-to-back victories in their last two Barclays Women’s Super League fixtures. Ward says that her side could really be looking up the table if things go their way this weekend.

“If we win at the weekend and results go our way, then all of a sudden, you’re sitting seventh knocking on the door of the top six,” Ward said. “Football can move very quickly.

“November’s a really important month for us, it’s a month that we highlighted where we wanted to get five wins from six, we’re on four. I think it will top it off if we win at the weekend, but like I said, we’re under no illusion of the task ahead.”

Aston Villa’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture against Everton takes place at Villa Park at 4.30pm on Sunday afternoon.