Aston Villa vs Manchester City: Vitality Women’s FA Cup Preview, Quarter-Final, 2023

Both sides could edge closer to Wembley this season as Aston Villa host Manchester City this weekend.

Aston Villa vs Manchester City: Vitality Women’s FA Cup Preview, Quarter-Final, 2023
Ellen White battles for possession with Shania Hayles in the match between Aston Villa Women and Manchester City Women. (Photo by Morgan Harlow/Getty Images)
lrosewell
By Luca Rosewell

Gareth Taylor's side comes into the FA Cup on a high, having just lost once since September. Their streak has seen them win 18 games out of 21 matches across all competitions.

The Villains have matched the performances of City, having lost only once in 2023 - they enter the encounter on the back of a six-match undefeated run in the Women's Super League.

Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw became Manchester City's highest-scoring female player in a single season with a brace in Sunday's 2-1 win over Brighton.

Aston Villa also defeated West Ham 2-1 in their recent match, with goals from Rachel Daly and Jordan Nobbs securing the points.

Other FA Cup ties this weekend consist of Lewes hosting Manchester United, Brighton & Hove Albion visiting St Andrews to play Birmingham City and Reading facing the current cup holders Chelsea.

  • Team News

Aston Villa

Carla Ward did not reveal too much about the fitness of her squad to the media but gave some insight into players that could feature this weekend.

Ruesha Littlejohn was forced to withdraw from Sunday's victory over West Ham due to a knee injury. Meanwhile, Anna Leat was seen during training and is on her way back to the matchday squad.

Remi Allen, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, and Simone Magill are all making good progress in their rehabilitation, but long-term injuries keep Meaghan Sargeant and Natasha Harding out.

 <strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/11/womens-football/1140340-leicester-city-vs-everton-womens-super-league-preview-gameweek-15-2023.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/11/womens-football/1140340-leicester-city-vs-everton-womens-super-league-preview-gameweek-15-2023.html'>Aston Villa</a></strong> manager <strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/02/11/womens-football/1137493-brighton-and-hove-albion-vs-aston-villa-womens-super-league-preview-gameweek-14-2023.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/02/11/womens-football/1137493-brighton-and-hove-albion-vs-aston-villa-womens-super-league-preview-gameweek-14-2023.html'>Carla Ward</a></strong> during the Barclays FA Women's Super League match between <strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/11/womens-football/1140340-leicester-city-vs-everton-womens-super-league-preview-gameweek-15-2023.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/11/womens-football/1140340-leicester-city-vs-everton-womens-super-league-preview-gameweek-15-2023.html'>Aston Villa</a></strong> Women and <b><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/data/manchester-city' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/data/manchester-city'>Manchester City</a></b> Women in January, 2022. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Aston Villa manager Carla Ward during the Barclays FA Women's Super League match between Aston Villa Women and Manchester City Women in January, 2022. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Manchester City

Gareth Taylor has recently announced that Hayley Raso and Alanna Kennedy are nearing a return and could be in contention to feature on Sunday.

The gaffer also revealed that defender Esme Morgan is expected to be part of the squad, after only featuring off the bench against Spurs last weekend.

Gareth Taylor, manager of <b><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/data/manchester-city' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/data/manchester-city'>Manchester City</a></b> looks on after the FA Women's Super League match between Leicester City and <strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/08/womens-football/1139914-euro-winners-secure-another-historic-moment-with-government-school-pledge.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/08/womens-football/1139914-euro-winners-secure-another-historic-moment-with-government-school-pledge.html'>Manchester City</a></strong>. (Photo by <strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/08/womens-football/1139914-euro-winners-secure-another-historic-moment-with-government-school-pledge.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/08/womens-football/1139914-euro-winners-secure-another-historic-moment-with-government-school-pledge.html'>Manchester City</a></strong> FC/<strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/08/womens-football/1139914-euro-winners-secure-another-historic-moment-with-government-school-pledge.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/08/womens-football/1139914-euro-winners-secure-another-historic-moment-with-government-school-pledge.html'>Manchester City</a></strong> FC via Getty Images)
Gareth Taylor, manager of Manchester City looks on after the FA Women's Super League match between Leicester City and Manchester City. (Photo by Manchester City FC/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
  • Likely Line Ups

Aston Villa

Hampton; Pacheco, Turner, Corsie, Mayling; Nobbs, Staniforth, Dali; Hanson, Daly, Lehmann.

Manchester City

MacIver; Ouhabi, Greenwood, Houghton, Aleixandri; Angeldal, Hasegawa; Hemp, Coombs, Kelly; Shaw.

  • Key Players

Aston VillaJordan Nobbs

After scoring her fourth goal on Sunday, the attacking midfielder is eager to add to her tally.

The Villians' new January addition scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over West Ham United last weekend.

The victory extended their undefeated streak to six games, which has aligned with Nobbs' debut to the club - the midfielder believes their confidence is building with each game.

Her drive to "score more goals" will be vital this weekend when they face giants Manchester City.

 <strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/02/12/womens-football/1137551-brighton-women-2-6-aston-villa-villans-destory-seagulls-in-eight-goal-thriller.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/02/12/womens-football/1137551-brighton-women-2-6-aston-villa-villans-destory-seagulls-in-eight-goal-thriller.html'>Jordan Nobbs</a></strong> of <strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/09/womens-football/1140038-brian-sorensen-previews-leicester-city-clash-ahead-of-unorthodox-tie.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/09/womens-football/1140038-brian-sorensen-previews-leicester-city-clash-ahead-of-unorthodox-tie.html'>Aston Villa</a></strong> celebrates after scoring their second goal during the FA Women's Super League match between <strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/05/womens-football/1139628-arsenal-vs-chelsea-womens-league-cup-final-preview-2023.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/05/womens-football/1139628-arsenal-vs-chelsea-womens-league-cup-final-preview-2023.html'>West Ham</a></strong> United and <strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/07/womens-football/1139860.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/07/womens-football/1139860.html'>Aston Villa</a></strong>. (Photo by <strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/05/womens-football/1139668-everton-0-2-aston-villa-lathargic-blues-succumb-to-villans.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/05/womens-football/1139668-everton-0-2-aston-villa-lathargic-blues-succumb-to-villans.html'>Aston Villa</a></strong>/<strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/05/womens-football/1139668-everton-0-2-aston-villa-lathargic-blues-succumb-to-villans.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/05/womens-football/1139668-everton-0-2-aston-villa-lathargic-blues-succumb-to-villans.html'>Aston Villa</a></strong> FC via Getty Images)
Jordan Nobbs of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring their second goal during the FA Women's Super League match between West Ham United and Aston Villa. (Photo by Aston Villa/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)

Manchester City – Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw

Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw became Manchester City's highest-scoring female player in a single season last weekend, scoring twice against Brighton & Hove Albion to bring her record to 26 goals.

Nikita Parris previously held the record with 24 goals in the 2018/19 season and after conquering this feat, the striker's form will be beneficial to City's pursuit of silverware this season.

Her manager was overjoyed for the Jamaican striker and spoke highly of her to the media.

“I’m super proud of Bunny and all the players are...I think what she’s done is remarkable, really - to go from the first game of the season scoring and not really have a dry spell at all, maybe a couple of games."

Khadija Shaw of Man City celebrates with teammate Leila Ouahabi after scoring the team first goal of the game during the FA Women's Super League match between Brighton & <strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/07/womens-football/1139876-4-things-we-learned-from-chelseas-victory-over-brighton.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/07/womens-football/1139876-4-things-we-learned-from-chelseas-victory-over-brighton.html'>Hove Albion</a></strong> and <strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/05/womens-football/1139688-arsenal-vs-liverpool-womens-super-league-preview-2023.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/05/womens-football/1139688-arsenal-vs-liverpool-womens-super-league-preview-2023.html'>Manchester City.</a></strong> (Photo by <strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/16/manchester-city/1140863-julian-alvarez-signs-extended-contract-with-manchester-city.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/16/manchester-city/1140863-julian-alvarez-signs-extended-contract-with-manchester-city.html'>Manchester City</a></strong> FC/<strong><a  data-cke-saved-href='https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2023/03/16/1140850-gareth-southgate-laments-english-squad-depth-deteriorating-rapidly-in-premier-league-after-picking-three-lions-squad.html' href='https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2023/03/16/1140850-gareth-southgate-laments-english-squad-depth-deteriorating-rapidly-in-premier-league-after-picking-three-lions-squad.html'>Manchester City</a></strong> FC via Getty Images)
Khadija Shaw of Man City celebrates with teammate Leila Ouahabi after scoring the team first goal of the game during the FA Women's Super League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City. (Photo by Manchester City FC/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
  • Match Details

Where will the match be played?

The match will be played at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.

When will the match be played?

The match will be played on Sunday the 19th of March, with kick-off set for 6 pm.

How can you watch the match?

In the UK, the match will be shown for free on the FA Player.