by Emily Brown (10/11/23).
Above: Aston Villa boss Carla Ward, who believes her side can build on their midweek success over Sheffield United to defeat Bristol City this weekend. Photo: Aston Villa.
On Wednesday, Aston Villa secured their first win of the season as they dispatched Sheffield United 5-0 in their first match of the Conti Cup group stage. Star striker Rachel Daly scored a hattrick whilst the returning Ebony Salmon scored her first of the season. An unlikely goal from defender Dan Turner added to the air of positivity.
The big news for Villa however was that Kenza Dali, a pivotal player for her club and country, made her return. The attacking midfielder last made an appearance for the Villains 171 days prior following an injury she picked up during the World Cup.
Ahead of the hugely important match against Bristol City this weekend, head coach Carla Ward spoke of the “unbelievable talent” that Dali has, and how much of a “good person” the midfielder is to have both “around the dressing room and on the pitch.” Ward revealed that the 32-year-old is indeed “in contention to start” this weekend.
However, it has been disclosed that striker Simone Magill, has suffered further injury off the back of international duty, of which the club at first “weren’t aware of.” Magill “continues to be out” of the squad but she will be assessed once again next week. The attacker has a continuing problem with her quad muscle, which has been further aggravated over the break. After playing a “90 and 40” minute game whilst away, this has “ultimately put her back again.”
“It’s about working together (with Northern Ireland) to ensure that we can get her fit for as many games as possible… we’ll work collectively to try and make sure that she comes back from international duty in the right condition,” Ward reassured.
Looking towards this weekend’s clash at the bottom of the league table against Bristol City, Ward doesn’t doubt that, despite Villa perhaps being the favourites to win, it is “going to be a tough game.” The newly promoted side has had some “really good moments” thus far, despite them conceding the most goals in the league, along with Aston Villa.
As things stand, Bristol City are sitting a place above Villa at the bottom of the league table with three points following their first win of the season against West Ham United last weekend.
That Conti Cup victory over Sheffield United has been an opportunity to rebuild the side’s confidence. Villa have suffered a tough run, especially after their heart-breaking loss against Chelsea. Despite it being the first time in her present job that Ward has faced this hardship, she remains determined to “stick together”.
“You don’t get anywhere in life without challenges… the more you fall on your face, the more you learn… whatever happens this will be a really important learning curve for myself,” Ward remarked.
On having the players’ faith remaining behind her Ward stated: “It’s what keeps you going… I asked outright to some of the leaders of the group, ‘Have I got the dressing room?’ and the answer was ‘100% wholeheartedly’… the players know that I will give them everything…the one thing I pride myself on is treating the players right and so in these moments where it does become tough its very very easy to point the finger at the manager.
“Through building those relationships with players, they then have your back as well as you having theirs… that’s something I’m immensely proud of… I must admit, after the Chelsea game getting so many messages as I did from the players was something that absolutely kept me going.”
Villa’s uncomfortable 6-0 loss at home to Chelsea last weekend was followed by the news that Blues boss Emma Hayes would be ending her 12-year tenure at the club at the end of the season, with her being strongly tied to the open position of head coach for the United States national team.
Ward and Hayes have a close relationship, with the Chelsea boss mentoring Ward throughout her managerial career. The Villa head coach reflected: “Any decision that you make around not just your career, but your family, is the right decision and we had that conversation when she spoke to me about it.
“I think it’s massively important that you do what is right not just for your career but for your family and I wish her all the best whatever she does because she’s an exceptional human, she’s helped me a lot.”
Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, X (Twitter), and Facebook. DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!
impetusfootball.org 