Our women's team round off 2023 against Aston Villa in the Women's Super League on Sunday, kick off 6.45pm at the Bescot Stadium.
How to follow the game
The match is live on FA Player and there will be regular updates on our social media channels and matchday blog.
View from the dugout
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Team news
Head coach Melissa Phillips said, "We had a couple players out of the squad - Julia (Zigiotti) and Lee (Geummin) - last weekend. They have trained this week and we're hopeful to have both of them on Sunday."
Player to watch
3️⃣ more points in the #ContiCup! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/S3MvRbMeqU
— Aston Villa Women (@AVWFCOfficial) December 13, 2023
Lionesses's striker Rachel Daly signed for Villa at the beginning of last season and has already netted four goals this since the start of the 2023/24 campaign.
The 2022/23 Barclays Golden Boot winner came off the bench for Villa on Wednesday in their Continental League Cup match against Durham, and went on to score a hat-trick in the second half.
Previous meetings
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Albion were unable to clinch a win against Villa in the league last season. Their first meeting ended in a 1-1 draw at the Bescot Stadium with Julia Zigiotti netting an equaliser in the final ten minutes. A week later, Albion hosted Carla Ward's side at Broadfield Stadium which ended in a disappointing 6-2 defeat in the league.
Stats and facts
Albion are unbeaten on the road against Aston Villa in the WSL, with two wins and one draw from three matches; it’s their most away games against a specific opponent without losing in the competition.
Aston Villa have lost seven of their last nine matches in the WSL (W2) – their previous seven defeats came across a 22-game period.
Albion have won just one of their last eight league matches (D2 L5), conceding at least two goals in seven of those games.
Aston Villa have won only four of their last 25 home matches in the WSL (D4 L17), while they have lost six of their last seven at home (D1).
Aston Villa have dropped 12 points from winning positions in the WSL this season, the most of any side; they have already equalled their points dropped when ahead from last season.
Elizabeth Terland has scored 70% of Brighton’s goals in the WSL this season (7/10) – this is the highest percentage of a team’s goals for any player this season.
Aston Villa’s starting XIs have had the oldest average age of any side in the WSL this season (28 years, 18 days).
Match officials
Referee: Emily Heaslip
Assistants: Harley Hetherington and Grace Lowe
Fourth Official: Stacey Fullicks