Chelsea v Aston Villa: Women’s Super League – live

Aston Villa players warm up ahead at a sunlit upland Kingsmeadow.

LIVE – Updated at 19:05

Minute-by-minute report: Can Chelsea win their game in hand and return to the top of the WSL? Find out with Sarah Rendell.

RED CARD! Chelsea 0-0 Aston Villa (Leat, 4′)

19:05

Leat handled the ball outside of her box and she is sent off!

19:03

4 min: A really rogue pass from Ingle to the wide channel sees it rocket into the stands and Villa are able to set up an attack. But they aren’t on the ball for long with Buchanan winning it back well.

19:01

2 min: Chelsea start with a spell of possession but both finding their feet in this one. A note that Villa’s Simone Magill makes her 100th WSL appearance this evening.

19:01

Another big headline from the team news is that Lauren James is not included. Chelsea play Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League this weekend and so I am guessing she is being rested for that, I will let you know if there is any confirmation over her not being included tonight.

Kick-off! Chelsea 0-0 Aston Villa

19:00

Here we go then.

18:56

The players are out at Kingsmeadow. Can Chelsea bounce back from their recent losses? Or will Aston Villa cause an upset? All to come with kick-off at 7pm BST.

18:50

Do send in any snack chat you have, tonight I am tucking into some chocolate digestives for this clash. Another topic which I would like to hear your thoughts on is what legacy Emma Hayes will leave in the WSL when she leaves at the end of the season. You can get in touch via email or X (@rendellx)

18:46

Aston Villa boss Carla Ward said on Rachel Daly, who plays for the first time tonight since announcing her international retirement: “Daly is a top professional, she has inspired many and she will continue to do so. In the week I have said England’s loss is Villa’s gain.”

18:42

Aston Villa have seen two teams beat Chelsea and keep them relatively quiet in the past few weeks. They didn’t have too many chances against Arsenal in the Conti Cup final and Manchester United did an excellent defensive job in the Women’s FA Cup semi-final. Of course Chelsea do eventually find a way through the defence and that is where goalkeepers have had to put in particularly good saves, particularly from shots from Lauren James’ boot. But they have blueprints to work from to defeat Chelsea this evening.

18:35

Have you listened to our weekly women’s football podcast? This week is focuses on the Women’s FA Cup and the fact there will be a new winner this season:

18:29

Aston Villa manager Carla Ward is wary of Chelsea this evening. “A wounded animal is a dangerous animal,” Ward said. “It’s as clear as that. Emma and her team are mentality monsters, we know that.

“They are hurting and you don’t ever want to play a team that’s hurting, especially a Chelsea team who are champions. They will want to react and I have absolutely no doubt they will react. They have world-class players, a world-class manager and they will be ready. They will want to put things right to make sure they stay on track to win the league.”

18:20

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes was asked about how the team are responding after the two tough losses recently. She said she has asked her players to “show up” for the other competitions they are left competing in but she did note she thought the team were taken for granted.

“I just want the players to go out and enjoy themselves tomorrow,” Hayes said. “I want them to play in front of a fanbase that I truly hope appreciates this group of players.

“I believe this team over a number of years has delivered so much success for this club and to these fans, and sometimes I feel the players get taken for granted on that. So I want our fans to show appreciation.

“I care that they realise the level of success we have had is difficult to do all the time, to keep winning and winning and winning. I’m proud that we keep doing that even if it doesn’t always go our way. We have to pick ourselves up and go again.”

18:13

Some big news from France as Ada Hegerberg has extended her contract with Lyon until 2027. Since joining the club in 2014 she has won eight league titles and six Champions League trophies.

18:01

The team news is here. There is a first start for Catarina Macario for Chelsea.

Chelsea:

Aston Villa:

Preamble

18:00

Hello and welcome back to our Women’s Super League coverage. Tonight defending champions Chelsea take on Aston Villa in a bid to reclaim top of the table.

Manchester City are currently three points clear at the top but tonight’s match is Chelsea’s game in hand to try and keep their hope of silverware this season alive. Over the past few weeks the Blues have lost the Conti Cup final and their Women’s FA Cup semi-final and a loss tonight would be a significant blow to their WSL bid with just four game remaining following this evening’s game.

Aston Villa will do everything in their power to stop Chelsea’s hunt for a fifth consecutive season. Carla Ward’s team have had an underwhelming season after an impressive campaign in the 2022-23 season. They are seventh as things stand but a win tonight would close the gap on the top six.

We will take a look at what both managers have said in the build-up shortly. But first let’s take a look at the team news before kick-off at 7pm BST.