Taylor to monitor Miedema fitness ahead of Aston Villa clash | OneFootball

City boss Gareth Taylor will make a late check on the fitness of Vivianne Miedema ahead of Sunday’s return to Barclays Women’s Super League action at home to Aston Villa.

The Netherlands international and Women’s Super League all-time leading scorer didn’t travel to Austria for our midweek Champions League victory away at St Polten.

Addressing the media at Friday’s pre-match press conference the City boss said he would wait until Friday afternoon’s training session in terms of assessing Miedema’s availability.

And he delivered a positive update regarding the fitness of the squad as a whole in relation to the likes of Jill Roord and Kerstin Casperij but confirmed that Naomi Layzell would miss Sunday’s game.

“We need to check on Viv to see where she’s at,” the City boss revealed.

“We didn’t take her with us [to Austria]. We don’t think it’s an issue to keep her out long. We will check in at this afternoon’s session.

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“We used Jill in midweek again having played 90 minutes at Liverpool. She comes back into the reckoning this weekend.

“We managed to manage some players - Bunny, it was important to continue with her rhythm.

“Kirsten it was good to give her a rest [on Wednesday] because her and Laia [Aleixandri] with Naomi Layzell not fit meant there was quite a lot of load on those players.

“There are no other issues and everyone is looking good.”

Sunday’s clash is the last before we head into the October international break.

City go into the game lying top of the Women’s Super League table on the back of a superb run of form that has seen the side go eight matches unbeaten in all competitions.

Villa meanwhile have endured a tough start, picking up just two points to sit in ninth place.

However, the City boss said he was anticipating the toughest of tests.

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“We have a tough opponent at weekend who I think have not been getting rewards from performances,” Taylor added.

“They are trying to do different things at club and have a lot of talented experienced players.

“They have quality in the top end and midfield with the likes of Rachel Daly and Kenza Dali.

“There is pace within their team, and they have good options in back line. The football has not been shown in their points tally.

“But we don't underestimate any team and certainly not this one.”

City v Aston Villa: Man City App coverage

As always, the official Man City app will provide comprehensive coverage before, during and after the action at the Joie Stadium.

Our Matchday Centre, providing detailed text updates, stats and analysis will be available to follow from 10:45am (UK), carrying on throughout the game and including the best post-match reaction.

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Those with push notifications turned on will be alerted to all the key moments as they unfold.

A detailed match report and interviews with Gareth Taylor and players alike can be accessed soon after the final whistle.

Highlights from the game plus a CITY+ full-match replay will be available from 12:00 (UK) on Monday 21 October.