Aston Villa Women: Inconsistent Villa must add streetwise nature after WSL winter break
Despite making solid steps this season, Aston Villa remain one of the WSL’s hot and cold teams and must look to improve their game management when returning in the New Year.
Carla Ward’s side are certainly fun to watch, but their high-risk, high-reward game plan has its drawbacks when looking for consistency over a sustained period of time.
The summer signings of Rachel Daly and Kenza Dali have completely transformed the offensive play that Villa can produce, with Lioness Daly netting eight league goals already this season.
Kirsty Hanson also chipped in with goals in consecutive games before the winter break proving that Villa are a dynamic, flourishing attacking force that few defences in the league can deal with.
Daly initiates the high press, high-energy brand of football that Ward enjoys, but at times it has left Villa’s defence looking ever-so-slightly chaotic and subsequently leaking too many goals.
Villa’s first game of the season against Manchester City was a perfect example.
After taking a 2-0 lead after 32 minutes against quality opposition, all Villa needed to do was shut up shop and get into halftime without conceding. However, a goal conceded in injury time dampened their confidence, and within 10 minutes of the second 45, Villa found themselves 3-2 down out of nowhere.
Although Villa dug themselves out of this hole thanks to goals from Dali and Daly, their weakness was highlighted and has remained a problem ever since.
The thing for fans is that Villa have proven they can grind out wins and defend diligently when required, so seeing them throw away leads in careless nature is a frustrating sight.
Defensive signings in the January transfer window could potentially put a plaster over this glaring issue for a short period, but a shift in mentality will be the key to long-term success.
The New Year should be about combining their attacking flair with a streetwise nature. If Villa can add the former, they could prove a very hard team to beat.
In other Aston Villa news, Hannah Hampton can still kick into top gear despite her stop-start WSL season.