For the first game of 2024, Aston Villa Women return to the Poundland Bescott Stadium once again this season face Everton but this time in the FA Cup 4th round. The ladies had a lot of success in this competition last season making it to the semi-finals narrowly losing out to holders Chelsea. After already losing to Everton this season Villa were hoping to turn it around this time round and get themselves in the hat for the next round.
As with all cup games this season, Anna Leat started between the sticks with number 1 Daphne Van Domselaar on the bench to start the game. This was a relatively unchanged lineup compared to recent cup matches with the reliable front 3 of Rachel Daly, Kirsty Hanson and Adriana Leon all starting. Carla Ward also handed starts to last season’s successful midfield trio of Jordan Nobbs, Lucy Staniforth and Kenza Dali. With both Dan Turner and Lucy Parker injured, fans were left guessing how the defence would line up. Sarah Mayling continued in her right-back role and was joined by Anna Patten and Captain Rachel Corsie who were the centre-backs. Ward completed her backline by handing a debut to new signing Noelle Maritz.
The centre-backs worried me as I don?t like Corsie playing in that position, I feel that she has better games when playing in a holding midfield position. So it was interesting to see how this game played out.
Report: Aston Villa Women 0-3 Everton Women
The hosts dominated the possession in the first half and had a few chance...