Aston Villa analysis with football broadcaster, Shebahn Aherne

We’re back in Women’s Super League action for the first time in 2023 as we take on Aston Villa at the Poundland Bescot Stadium for Saturday’s 12.30pm kick-off.

Football broadcaster Shebahn Aherne, who covers the WSL every weekend, gives us her insight into our opponents.

What are your thoughts on Villa’s season so far?

It’s been brilliant, and then a bit disappointing. I’ve expected more from them in some games, and other games they’ve been 10 out of 10. I’m confident with the strength of this window and the business that’s been done over the last six months that they could be looking for fifth in the table at the end of the season. They have a lot to give and are starting to gel. They’re making some clever signings. It’s just taking the opportunity every single time, I want to see more of that from Villa this season.

Rachel Daly has made an impact since she joined in the summer and Jordan Nobbs and Lucy Staniforth have joined in January.

The signings that they’ve made this window aren’t luxury players. They absolutely need them. You look at them in the last game of the season and they had three players on the bench. There’s an injury crisis at the minute and something’s not right and so having these players come in, they’re probably guaranteed to start. They’re always going to have to fight for their place but at the minute they’re hoping to see them fit and available this weekend.

What is the objective for Villa this season? Where would they like to finish?

Realistically it would be good to finish mid-table, but I actually think they’ll have ambitions to go higher than that. Daly is a Lioness winner whose now looking at playing up front for England. She’s come here and we thought she’d play left-back after the Euros, but coming from America, where she was banging in goals for fun, she’s starting to replicate that in the WSL, which is a difficult league. She’s sitting top of the goalscoring charts now with Bunny Shaw at Manchester City. I think Daly is such a clever player and has shown that she has bags of it to give. She’s living up to the reputation and she will add to the strengthening of the midfield. She’s brilliant in the air and has got everything. She’s the full package and I know that the Aston Villa team and manager are confident that she’s going to be the one to step up for them.

On the subject of the Lionesses, as for Spurs we’re excited to see Bethany England in action. From what you’ve seen of her at Chelsea, what do you think she can bring to Spurs?

What I find really lovely is that a player of her calibre and her experience is getting another opportunity. She was fighting for her place against a world class striker in Sam Kerr. It was very clear that she had more to give and if you look at the level of fitness that she’s maintained, the athlete and professional that she is, she’s never wavered. For her to get this move to Spurs, there’s a bit of pressure, but I think she’s got it and she’ll be great and have an impact. Rehanne Skinner has got a player of pedigree, class and experience who will give her goals. It’s a brilliant move from Spurs, she’s a brilliant player and I’m looking forward to seeing Bethany England 2.0.

Can it be beneficial to have Drew Spence and Rebecca Spencer as teammates, who she knew from her time at Chelsea?

I always think that helps. With the Villa signings like Staniforth and Nobbs coming in, they played in the Lionesses and go years back with Daly, so already there’s a sign of a time there that has that relationship and friendship. It’s so needed in this environment. It’s important to have players like Spence and England who have seen the rise, been part of the Lionesses and known how hard they’ve had to work and how difficult it is to grind it out and get results. Them coming back together will be brilliant for Spurs. Ashleigh Neville has been brilliant as well, an underrated player in the last couple of seasons, so them linking up with England is something to watch.