WSL title favourites visit Villa Park

Date: 15 March 2026
Competition: Barclays Women's Super League – Matchday 17
Venue: Villa Park

League leaders Manchester City travel to Villa Park this weekend to face Aston Villa in a key Women's Super League fixture.

City arrive as the main title favourites, while Aston Villa will be looking to end a difficult run of results and produce one of their biggest performances of the season.

Currently Manchester City sit top of the WSL with 42 points, while Aston Villa occupy 9th place with 16 points after 16 matches.

Aston Villa struggling for form

Aston Villa head into this match after a difficult period.

Natalia Arroyo's side have not won in their last five matches in all competitions, a run that has seen them slide down the table.

Aston Villa – Last 5 matches (all competitions)

Their last victory came on 11 January, when Villa defeated Brighton 2-1 at Villa Park.

Despite their position in the lower half of the table, Villa remain capable of scoring goals.
The team has scored 22 goals in 16 league matches, ranking them among the more productive attacks outside the top teams.

Hanson carrying Villa's attack

The main attacking threat for Villa has been Kirsty Hanson.

The Scotland international has scored 9 goals in 16 WSL matches, which represents around 41% of Aston Villa's total league goals this season.

Hanson currently sits second in the WSL scoring chart, trailing only Manchester City's striker Khadija “Bunny” Shaw.

Manchester City leading the title race

Manchester City have been the standout team in the WSL this season.

The side coached by Andrée Jeglertz lead the league with:

• 14 wins
• 2 defeats
• 42 points
• 47 goals scored
• 13 goals conceded

City have lost only two matches all season:

• Chelsea 2–1 Manchester City (opening round)
• Arsenal 1–0 Manchester City

Aside from those defeats, City have dominated the league and established themselves as the strongest attacking side in the competition.

Manchester City – Last 5 matches (all competitions)

Hasegawa absence could affect City's midfield

Manchester City could be without Yui Hasegawa, one of the team's most influential midfielders.

The Japanese international is currently representing Japan at the AFC Women's Asian Cup, where her national team is competing in the knockout stage.

Hasegawa has played a crucial role in City's midfield this season, controlling possession and dictating the tempo of matches.
She has also logged some of the highest minutes in the Manchester City squad, highlighting her importance to the team's structure.

Her absence could slightly affect City's midfield balance in this match.

Bunny Shaw leading the Golden Boot race

Manchester City's attacking leader remains Khadija “Bunny” Shaw.

The Jamaican striker has scored 15 goals in 16 league matches, making her the top scorer in the WSL this season.

Her goals have been a major factor behind City's league-best attack.

Head-to-Head Record

Historically, this fixture has been dominated by Manchester City.

Aston Villa vs Manchester City – H2H (WSL)

Last 5 meetings

What to expect

Manchester City arrive at Villa Park as clear favourites and a team firmly focused on winning the 2025-26 WSL title.

Aston Villa will hope the home crowd can help them produce a strong performance and end their winless run.

The clash between Kirsty Hanson and Bunny Shaw, currently the two most prolific scorers in the league, could become one of the defining storylines of the match.