How to watch FA WSL clash between Aston Villa and Chelsea on Wednesday, Jan. 27

Topics: FA WSL, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Emma Hayes, Gemma Davies, Marcus Bignot, Mana Iwabuchi, Fran Kirby, Ramona Prtzelberger, Sam Kerr

FA Women’s Super League reigning champions Chelsea will make a midweek trip to Walsall to face Aston Villa at Bank’s Stadium on Wednesday with kick off set for 2:30 p.m. ET.

The Blues and Villains have been directly impacted by the wave of FA WSL match postponements due to positive COVID-19 results. As a result, both sides have played ten of their 13 matches so far this season. Wednesday’s fixture will serve as make-up game for their Matchday 5 meeting that was supposed to take place on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020.

Aston Villa vs. Chelsea: preview

Hosts Aston Villa has bolstered its roster and coaching staff by making notable additions in the past month. The Villains latest introduction was that of former Birmingham City Ladies head coach Marcus Bignot, who will assist headwoman Gemma Davies as an interim manager. The former defender has over 20 years of coaching experience despite only being 46 years old as he played and managed simultaneously since 1998. On the other hand, Villa’s latest signing of forward Mana Iwabuchi has already had a major impact in the team, scoring a goal and registering an assist in her debut last weekend. Iwabuchi helped the Claret and Blue secure a comeback 2-2 draw against Reading, separating them from bottom of the table Bristol City by one more point.

On the other hand, The Blues are hungry for another win to keep the pressure on league-leaders Manchester United. Chelsea is a win away from first place with two games in hand, meaning that a win against Aston Villa on Wednesday would send the Blues to the top of the table. Still undefeated at this point of the season, head coach Emma Hayes relies on the league’s strongest back line and fluidity in transition when attacking with Sam Kerr, Pernille Harder, Fran Kirby, Erin Cuthbert and Guro Reiten. This Chelsea side is by far the most complete and feared in the league this season.

Wednesday will make the UK’s Holocaust Memorial Day, and both teams will be wearing black armbands to stand against the prejudice and hatred that still exists today.

Aston Villa vs. Chelsea: Head-to-head & statistics

The last time Aston Villa and Chelsea clashed heads was last season in the quarterfinals of the FA Women’s Continental League Cup. The Blues came on top that time out 3-1.

Aston Villa