Match preview: Villa on the road against Chelsea

FixturesChelsea Women Vs. Aston Villa Women - Sat, Sep 05 2026, 12:30Aston Villa women begin their 2026/27 Women’s Super League campaign against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday lunchtime. Natalia Arroyo’s squad has been strengthened by nine new arrivals over the summer break, and the team is raring to go for the new season having completed a rigorous pre-season schedule. After behind-closed-doors tests against Sunderland, Ipswich Town, Paris FC and OL Lyonnes, preparations rounded off on a positive note last weekend with a strong performance and clean sheet against West Ham in front of the fans at Keys Park.What do the stats say? Aston Villa's 4-3 defeat to Chelsea in their most recent league meeting in March was the first game in Women’s Super League history to see both teams score three first half goals. Aston Villa scored three goals in that meeting at Kingsmeadow, which is more than across their prior 11 league meetings with Chelsea (2 goals) Our meeting with Chelsea on Sunday marks the first time Villa Women have played at Stamford Bridge, after the Blues made it their permanent home from the 2026/27 campaign The Last MeetingIt was a thrilling encounter the last time Villa headed to West London to face Chelsea back in March. Chasity Grant swept home Lynn Wilms’ cross after two minutes to hand the visitors the perfect start, before a five-goal flurry inside fifteen minutes caused momentum to swing back and forth between the teams. Chelsea netted three goals without reply through Sam Kerr, Naomi Girma and Lauren James, before a superb Kirsty Hanson double pulled it back to 3-3 heading into half time. Villa looked destined to claim a well-earned point with the scores still square in the closing stages, but a late Sjoeke Nusken strike decided the game in the hosts’ favour.The Presser: Thoughts from Head Coach ArroyoCan’t make it to Stamford Bridge this weekend? Make sure not to miss out when Villa welcome reigning champions Manchester City to B6 for our 2026/27 home opener on Sunday, 13th September. Buy your season ticket or individual match tickets now