Chelsea host Aston Villa in the opening game of the Women’s Super League 2024/25 season, with both sides under new management at the start of the campaign.
Defending champions Chelsea were left with a huge void to fill in the summer after Emma Hayes brought her experience to the United States squad. However, they have secured a replacement with impressive credentials as a player and manager the ex-coach of Lyon Sonia Bompastor.
Early signs are positive as the Blues chase a sixth consecutive WSL title, with Bompastor securing wins over Gotham FC, Arsenal and Feyenoord in pre-season. Their last outing with their Dutch opponents saw them score nine goals without reply, with youngster Aggie Beever-Jones netting a 17-minute hat-trick.
Chelsea’s first test of their title credentials under Bompastor comes in Friday’s WSL opener at home to Aston Villa. Robert de Pauw has taken over the Midlands club following the departure of Carla Ward and the Dutchman will aim to improve on last season’s seventh-placed finish.
here it is 90 minutes guide for Chelsea vs Aston Villa this Friday.
Head-to-head record Chelsea vs Aston Villa (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Chelsea |
Aston Villa |
|---|---|
|
Chelsea 9-0 Feyenoord – 07/09/24 |
Aston Villa 2-1 Man City – 14/09/24 |
|
Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal – 25/08/24 |
Everton 1-3 Aston Villa – 24/09/08 |
|
Gotham FC 1-3 Chelsea – 20/08/24 |
Charlton 2-2 Aston Villa – 01/09/24 |
|
Man Utd 0-6 Chelsea – 18/05/24 |
Aston Villa 1-0 Real Betis – 23/08/24 |
|
Tottenham – Chelsea 0-1 – 15/08/24 |
Liverpool 0-1 Aston Villa – 17/08/24 |
|
country |
TV channel/live broadcast |
|---|---|
|
united kingdom |
BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website |
|
united states |
N/A |
|
canada |
Sportsnet Now Plus |
Chelsea suffered a devastating blow in their pre-season thrashing of Feyenoord, with Sophie Ingle the latest player to be struck down with an ACL injury. She joins Sam Kerr, Erin Cuthbert, Catarina Macario, Mia Fishel and Aniek Nouwen in the treatment room.
The Blues could hand debuts to several of their summer signings on Friday, including Lucy Bronze and Sandy Baltimore. Elsewhere, Oriane Jean-Francois will be hoping to make her first competitive appearance for the reign WSL champions
Chelsea’s predicted line-up against Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Musovic; Bronze, Bright, Buchanan, Charles; Nusken, Captain; Kaneryd, James, Baltimore; Ramirez
Gabi Nunes was a smart signing for Villa and signed for £250,000 on transfer deadline day from League F. He will certainly play against Chelsea in some capacity, but it may be too early to start.
Rachel Daly will be fresh for the 2024/25 season and has joined Villa’s squad with exciting new signings Missy Bo Kearns from Liverpool, Katie Robinson from Brighton and defender Paula Tomas from Levante UD.
Aston Villa’s predicted line-up against Chelsea (4-2-3-1): D’Angelo; Mayling, Corsie, Turner, Thomas; Staniforth, Nobbs; Leon, Dalí, Hanson; Daly.
On paper, Chelsea will be favorites for all their home games this season, especially against mid-table rivals Villa. However, De Pauw’s side have impressed during pre-season, making some smart signings and winning all five of their friendlies, including a recent win against Manchester City.
Despite Villa’s encouraging form, Chelsea remain the WSL’s top dogs and should secure victory this Friday. While Bompastor’s reign may have a few bumps in the road, the first WSL game of the season is unlikely to be one of them.
