Jonty Banks

Thu 17 November 2022 18:10, UK

Aston Villa star Rachel Daly continued to highlight her importance to Sarina Weigman after scoring in The Lionesses’ 1-1 draw against Norway this week.

Daly, who now has picked up 63 caps for England, added “potent centre forward” to the many positions she can deliver in after her deft header made it 26 games unbeaten for Weigman’s side.

The Villa star, who played at left back in England’s Euro-winning side, has been in electric form for her club this season, scoring five Women’s Super League goals from six games and currently sitting second in the top goalscorers charts.

And although Daly has been Villa’s figurehead this season, several other teammates represented their nations over the last week and highlighted the giant strides The Villans have taken since promotion in 2020.

Youngsters Freya Gregory and Olivia McLoughlin netted in England youth games this week – McLoughlin scoring in the Under-19s narrow defeat to Netherlands and Gregory finding the net in the Under 23s 2-0 win against the same opponent.

The latter was joined by midfielder Laura Blindkilde Brown and Anna Patten in the Under 23’s, highlighting the strength in depth that Carla Ward can work with at the Bescot Stadium.

North of the border Rachel Corsie and Kirsty Hanson were both instrumental in Scotland’s victory over Venezuela, while Kenza Dali also starred for the French team against Norway.

The Villans currently sit sixth in the WSL table on nine points and will be looking to mount a charge on both Tottenham and Manchester City as they face second-bottom Reading on Sunday 20 November.

With Daly and Alisha Lehmann starting to forge an ever-blossoming partnership in attack, Ward will hope that a top-six finish is by no means out of the equation.

Considering the promising showings from her players during the international break, the only way for Villa is up.

In other Aston Villa news, Villa Park is on the shortlist for the UK and Ireland Euro 2028 bid – Sky Sports