%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
After slipping up in mid-week, can Arsenal claim three vital points in the race for Champions League qualification? On Wednesday night, the Gunners' six match winning streak in the WSL came to an end, held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton. Frida Maanum's second half equaliser enough to ensure they left Broadfield with at least a share of the spoils. This result confirmed Manchester City as champions, meaning the best Renée Slegers' side can aim for is second, but doing so is important.
Right now, Arsenal are third, two points clear of Man United and four behind Chelsea, but with two games in hand on both. Thus, a victory here will ensue a top three finish, but chasing down second is worthwhile. The runners-up join Man City in the Champions League league phase, while the third-place finishers face a dreaded two-legged play-off in August.
Thus, Arsenal require seven points from their final three fixtures to cement second place, given their vastly superior goal difference compared to Chelsea. Slegers' side host Everton on Wednesday, before traveling to Anfield to take on Liverpool on the final day, so will the leave Villa Park victorious?
As for Aston Villa, they did earn a 1-1 draw at the Emirates in September, Lucy Parker scoring a stoppage time equaliser, but their results since then suggest they won't provide stern opposition. On Bank Holiday Monday, Natalia Arroyo's team were beaten again, this time 2-0 by West Ham.
Thus, the Claret and Blue Army have now lost six of their last eight in the WSL, only beating bottom of the table Leicester since early-January. This leaves Aston Villa ninth, which would represent their lowest finish in five seasons, having come as high as fifth in 2023. A year ago, the Villans hammered the Gunners 5-2, capitalising on some horrendous defending. So, could they upset the odds by repeating that success, or will Arsenal be too strong at Villa Park?
Aston Villa vs Arsenal: Preview, Prediction & Lineups
What time does Aston Villa vs Arsenal kick off?
Aston Villa vs Arsenal kicks off on Saturday 9 May at 12:00 (BST).
- When is kick off? Saturday 9 May
- What time is kick off? 12:00 (BST)
- Where is it played? Villa Park
- Referee: Mel Burgin.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal head-to-head record
- Aston Villa Wins: 2. Draws: 2. Arsenal Wins: 10.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal previous seven meetings
Date | Scoreline | Competition |
|---|---|---|
18 January 2026 | Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa | FA Cup |
27 September 2025 | Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa | WSL |
30 April 2025 | Aston Villa 5-2 Arsenal | WSL |
8 December 2024 | Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa | WSL |
24 March 2024 | Aston Villa 1-3 Arsenal | WSL |
6 March 2024 | Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa | League Cup semi-final |
15 October 2023 | Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa | WSL |
How to watch Aston Villa vs Arsenal
Country | Broadcaster |
|---|---|
UK & Ireland | Sky One, Sky Sports PL & SkyGo |
United States | ESPN Select |
Canada | Sportsnet World |
Australia | Stan Sport |
Aston Villa team news
After coming off the bench against West Ham last time out, Rachel Daly will be hoping to start this time. She could displace Maya Hijikata, although USWNT international Jenna Nighswonger is ineligible as she is on loan from Arsenal.
Goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo and centre-back Noelle Maritz will both face their former club.
Predicted Aston Villa lineup vs Arsenal: D'Angelo; Wilms, Maritz, Taylor, Deslandes; François, Kendall, Salmon, Hijikata, Daly; Hanson.
Arsenal team news
Following last weekend's heartbreaking Champions League defeat against Lyon, Renée Slegers rotated her team in Sussex on Wednesday, so will many of the key figures be back in?
Katie McCabe, Mariona Caldentey, Chole Kelly and Stina Blackstenius all came off the bench against Brighton, so could start this time, while Leah Williamson may return too, with her minutes being carefully managed. Beth Mead also featured in mid-week after sitting out three games due to personal reasons.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Aston Villa: van Domselaar; Holmberg, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, McCabe; Little, Caldentey; Smith, Kelly, Blackstenius, Russo.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal score prediction
Despite their mid-week dropped points, we are expecting Arsenal to prove too strong at Villa Park. The Gunners beat the Villans 2-0 in the FA Cup in Borehamwood earlier this year, Blackstenius and Kim Little the scorers that afternoon, meaning they've won five of their seven encounters across the last three campaigns.
With Blackstenius, Olivia Smith, Chole Kelly, the Champions League's top-scorer Alessia Russo and plenty of other attacking firepower in their ranks, Renée Slegers' side have to be strong favourites for this Saturday lunchtime clash.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-3 Arsenal
Add us as a preferred source on Google