WSL: Aston Villa boss Carla Ward says Aston Villa will need to be at their best to beat Brighton | Football News

Aston Villa manager Carla Ward insists there is no margin for error for this weekend’s visit of Brighton.

Villa trail eighth-placed Brighton by three points ahead of Saturday’s Women’s Super League clash, live and exclusive on Sky Sports.

Brighton finished sixth last term, 12 points ahead of Villa, and Ward says being in a position to challenge Hope Powell’s side is a sign of the progress her team has made this season.

“Naturally, of course, you want to play live in front of the nation and the players have got the opportunity now, so it’s about showcasing what we’re all about,” Villa boss Ward told Sky Sports News.

“I’ve always had my admiration for Brighton, the way Hope [Powell] has gone in [as manager] and the way the football club has supported the women.

“They’ve done exceptionally well over the last few years, and they’re a club that I look at [and think that] if we can finish anywhere in and around them, I think it will be a successful season.

“They are a group that are blessed with good footballers and good coaches. We know it’s going to be difficult, it’s always difficult when you play Brighton – they are the sort of team that can pull off big results in this division, and we know that.

“On their day they’ll beat anyone. We have to be sure that we’re absolutely ready because if we’re not, or we’re not at it, then Brighton are a team that will 100 per cent capitalise on that.”

Saturday 5th March 11:00am


Kick off 11:30am

Villa spent much of last season battling against relegation, eventually finishing 10th before Ward took the reins, arriving at the club from Birmingham City.

“We have a better points total with eight to play [compared to the end of last season] and there’s a belief among the group that we’re improving all the time,” Ward added.

“We’ve got probably the most tight-knit environment that I’ve been in and we’re now looking after each other and I think that’s really important. I think one of the first things I said when I came in was about developing a culture where everyone would look after each other and run through brick walls for each other.

“I think it’s really important that you can hang your hat on these players. I think I’ve got a group of players now that that can absolutely do that for each other, look after each other and I think that massively helps because you know that if you’re going to make a mistake, your team-mates have got you back and that’s big for me. I believe now we’ve got a group and a culture that’s certainly all about that.”

Ward: I don’t like losing

The Villa manager added: “Ultimately, everybody that knows me, I put a lot pressure on myself. I’m ambitious. I want to be at the top.

“There’s been a few challenges this year naturally, because ultimately, you know, I don’t like losing games as people know. Even when we’ve played well, I still go away reflect and analyse and I want to be better whether we win, lose or draw.

“So that’s part and parcel, isn’t it, of development and I think it’s also part and parcel of management. Football is cruel sometimes but I’m in a good place. Why? Because I’ve got a group of players and staff that are giving everything, and I think that’s really important, and an environment now where we’re ready to kick on and step on.”

Watch Aston Villa Women vs Brighton Women live on Sky Sports Premier League from 11am on Saturday; Kick-off 11.30am