With only four league games left of the season, Manchester United have the most difficult route to Women's Super League glory starting with facing Carla Ward’s Villa in their home fortress, the Bescot Stadium. A win will see Marc Skinner's side lead the title race and go six points clear of second-place Manchester City, and seven ahead of third-place Chelsea.
With Villa in fifth, it is set to be their most successful season to date, with an un-ignorable Rachel Daly in their ranks. Easily earmarked as the single biggest danger for United’s back line, Daly is the second-highest-scoring player in the league with 15 goals in 18 games (bested by Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw on 17, and United’s Alessia Russo in tow in third place, on nine).
Skinner said: “We know how good Rachel is, I experienced playing against her in the US, she's a wonderful talented player and never stops running, she gives everything.
“My job is to prepare for that but if we perform well with the ball, naturally she has less time with the ball, but you have to be alert to her all the time.
“We will be tested, there's no doubt about that but we want to stand up to that test. I'm a fan of what Villa do but, the reality is, we’ve got to turn up and do us and if we do that, we can beat anyone in the league.
“We’re very mean at the back and very free-flowing in front and very unpredictable in the way we’re going to score and that is what causes teams the most pressure and angst.
“Our defence has been rock solid, when Aoife [Mannion] came in the other day, she looked rock solid and the way we progress with our fullbacks is solid. [But] we’re also the highest pressing and the quickest re-gaining [possession] team without the ball.”
Defender Mannion made an impressive full 90-minute return to the squad against Arsenal and was integral to the Red's success. Both positionally and reading the game, Mannion was one step ahead of the Gunners and could be the key to keeping Villa threat Rachel Daly quiet.
“If we can limit the opportunities she gets, then we’ve done our job and that's all we can ask," added Skinner.
Last time out, United put five past Villa at Old Trafford in a sensational showcase of the home side's attacking flair. Five goals from five different goal scorers was a poignant moment for the Claret and Blue determined to enforce a higher-up-the-pitch style, despite punishment.
They have learned though, now occupying fifth place, Villa come into the game from an intense three-goal-a-piece tie with Tottenham on Sunday, while Skinner’s side are relishing off a hard-earned 1-0 win over Arsenal, their 14th win of the season so far.
Aston Villa will host United at the Bescot Stadium on Friday April 28, kicking off at 7.15pm and available to watch via the BBC.
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