Chelsea Women vs. Aston Villa: WSL preview, predicted XIs, and score prediction

The Blues have been hit by an injury bug as the campaign approaches. Key veteran midfielder Sophie Ingle is sidelined with an ACL tear. Promising young defender Jorja Fox, slated for a Crystal Palace stint this season, is out for the same reason as Ingle. Now, Niamh Charles, one of the club's MVPs last season, is temporarily sidelined after successfully undergoing surgery on Wednesday for a dislocated shoulder.

Don't know about you but a Melanie Leupolz would be of great use right now.

Bompastor and company must tackle the season's opening stretch without the club's 2023/24 WSL minutes leader

The depth Bompastor possesses within the squad should allow for the West Londoners to find success amid some adversity. Wieke Kaptein, the star of the preseason is likely to get her first WSL start for Chelsea following a quality loan spell in the Vrouwen Eredivisie with FC Twente. The composure and quality in distribution of the Dutch youngster jumped off the page, confirming her place on this year's team. No loan needed.

The French manager relieved the stress a lot of us had in the lead-up: Erin Cuthbert is back in contention, while Catarina Macario will make a return after missing the Olympics entirely.

It still all seems quite odd given what has transpired since that trouncing at Man United. No Emma Hayes. No Fran Kirby. But it's still Chelsea.

We move onward. We have no other choice, embracing the dawn of a new era.

Predicted XIs for Chelsea Women vs. Aston Villa at Kingsmeadow

Chelsea Women

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Goalkeeper: Hannah Hampton
Defenders: Millie Bright (c), Nathalie Björn, Lucy Bronze, Ève Périsset
Midfielders: Sjoeke Nusken, Wieke Kaptein; Lauren James, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Guro Reiten
Forward: Mayra Ramirez

Aston Villa

Formation: 4-4-2

Goalkeeper: Sabrina D'Angelo
Defenders: Sarah Mayling, Paula Tomás, Rachel Corsie (c), Danielle Turner
Midfielders: Jordan Nobbs, Kirsty Hanson, Kenza Dali, Lucy Staniforth
Forwards: Rachel Daly, Adriana Leon

Chelsea Women vs. Aston Villa score prediction

If I am going to be honest, I'd say 3-0 to the West Londoners. With that being said, Villa has the firepower up front to be the first English outfit to score against Chelsea since Liverpool in early May. In addition to the always-dangerous Rachel Daly, the Villains added numerous attacking assets over the summer, including Robinson and former Ajax wide player Grant.