‘We are expecting a top game’ – Bompastor previews Chelsea’s trip to Aston Villa | OneFootball

Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor says that she is anticipating a stern test when her side travel to Villa Park to face Aston Villa on Sunday.

The Blues are unbeaten in the Barclays Women’s Super League since May 2024 but latest opponents Aston Villa ended last season strongly while they battled out a goalless draw at Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.

In a 22-game season, every point matters and Chelsea boss Bompastor highlighted the importance of this weekend’s clash.

“Every game is important in this league and we all know that the game against Villa offers three points,” Bompastor said when speaking in the pre-match press conference. “Every game matters; we want to make sure we perform in every game. 
We know from last season, travelling to Aston Villa, that’s never an easy place to go, so we are expecting a top game.”

Going on to discuss Aston Villa, Bompastor said that they’re a very organised team both on and off the ball.

She said “They have really good players upfront and are also really well-organised out of possession. We know from experience last year, it’s never easy to play them because I think out of possession, they can be a really well-organised team but also, in transition and they can hurt teams with the speed they have.”

Summer signing Ellie Carpenter caught the eye for Chelsea in their 2-1 opening day victory over Manchester City and Bompastor is hoping that this is just the start for the Australian international.

She said “Her performance was really good; it was a really good debut for her and for the club. I think we still have more to come from her. She’s a really important player already and she just brings competition to the squad, that’s important when you want to compete in all four competitions.”

Forward Sam Kerr was named on the Chelsea bench for the first time in over 20 months last weekend. Bompastor provided an update on whether Kerr could feature in the game against Aston Villa on Sunday.

She said “Sam’s ready and she had a good pre-season. It was my choice not to have Sam come in for the game last weekend, she had a good week. 
She’s in a good place mentally and physically, so maybe on Sunday, we’ll see. She’s doing everything she can to be available for the squad, available to start the game.”

Chelsea’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture at Aston Villa kicks-off at midday on Sunday.