The Pride of London
Fansided

Chelsea vs Villa, WSL preview part II: must-win situation

By Caden Charpentier

KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Jessie Fleming of Chelsea Women (R) is tackled by Danielle Turner of Aston Villa Women (L) during the FA Women's Super League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Kingsmeadow on October 30, 2022 in Kingston upon Thames, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Jessie Fleming of Chelsea Women (R) is tackled by Danielle Turner of Aston Villa Women (L) during the FA Women's Super League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Kingsmeadow on October 30, 2022 in Kingston upon Thames, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Chelsea
Millie Bright and Sam Kerr of Chelsea (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

Tired legs are going to play a much bigger factor against Villa than they did in the defeat to Man City

On top of the emotion of advancing to the semifinals, the Blues will have to play a massive league fixture just three days after playing 120 minutes of football. Rotation is necessary, but at this point in time, the depth of this team is not one of its strengths. Add Melanie Leupolz to a list that includes Bright, Pernille Harder, and Fran Kirby. A collision in the mid-week left Leupolz covered in blood on the pitch. She was eventually forced off, but her status is currently unknown for the trip to the midlands. No matter how much Hayes rotates her side, this is a match that the west London side cannot afford to lose with the title race as tight as it is.

Not taking care of business at the Academy Stadium last weekend made the task toward the fourth straight WSL title that much more challenging. The Lyon triumph changes nothing in the grand scheme of the WSL table. The Chels still sit in third in the league table with the third-highest goal differential. Despite having a game in hand, there is no room for error with just seven WSL contests remaining.

Next. Important days ahead for Chelsea Women where setbacks are not an option. dark

This is possibly one of the last sides that the Blues want to take on after playing the French league leaders just a few days prior. Villa is red-hot, and filled with confidence following its 5-0 thumping of Leicester City last weekend. Not only do the Chels have to play Ward’s team in the WSL on Sunday, the two are slated to meet in the FA Cup semifinals on April 16 at Bescot Stadium. Two consecutive meetings with arguably the most in-form side in English football right now is not ideal. If you’re going to win titles, these are the games in which you have to find ways to win. It won’t be the prettiest of matches, but at this point in the campaign, Hayes’ side is simply seeking the result.

Home/Chelsea Women