Our Conti Cup journey begins this evening with a quarter-final tie-up with Aston Villa – the second clash with Carla Ward’s side in as many months.
A win tonight on home soil would see us through to the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since 2020, continuing our quest for silverware under Iona Eidevall.
League Cup history
We are the most successful club in the history of the Women’s League with five titles over 11 years. Our last trophy haul came in 2018, when we beat Manchester City 1-0 thanks to a close-range strike from Vivianne Miedema.
Similar success has been difficult to replicate in recent times and we made our first exit from last year’s competition, suffering a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United in the quarter-finals at Meadow Park.
Again, qualifying for the Champions League means our Gunners are exempt from the group stage. Aston Villa, meanwhile, qualified for the Conti Cup quarter-finals after finishing in their group, above the likes of Manchester United, Everton and Durham.
Last time around
It’s been less than two months since our Gunners last played for Carla Ward’s side, storming to victory at Village Park on December 11. When Kirsty Hanson struck for the first time in the opening ten minutes, we quickly responded to make it 2-2. They played 1 before half time.
Goals from Katie McCabe and Jordan Nobbs rounded off the victory, but Nobbs is now playing at Meadow Park in the cleats and blues, with a permanent move to Town ahead of him this month.
Villains have yet to beat us in five Premier League matches, scoring one goal and conceding 19.
What the managers say
our Eidevall; “[Aston Villa] in Carla Ward’s time they actually worked as a manager. They have really made some smart additions with a combination of young players and players with lots of league and international experience.
“We have shown their results and the way I played so far this season, and if I am looking for a long time in the league, this is what we need: more competitive teams. I think it is great. Of course it has more challenges for us but if you want to be at the top level, he is ready for you to play the greatest part.
Our guardians; “We accept it very gratefully. We will go to Arsenal with the aim of winning the football match. We want to reach the semi-finals, so we can do everything.”
Team news
With the exception of Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead (ACL), Eidevall is expected to have a fully fit squad to choose from this evening.
In the Villa side, Anna Patten and Lucy Staniforth (cup tie) are ruled out, alongside defender Dan Turner, who suffered concussion at the weekend against Manchester City.
Simone Magill, Remi Allen, Freya Gregory, Meaghan Sargeant, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and Natasha Harding are on the sidelines with long-term injuries.
How to watch
An inspection of the pitch took place today at Meadow Park, with the match official ruling that the surface was playable. The match kicks off at 7:45pm and is available to watch on FA Player.
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