Natalia Arroyo speaks ahead of Manchester United home fixture this weekend

Aston Villa head coach Natalia Arroyo has addressed the media ahead of her side’s pivotal fixture against Manchester United on Sunday. With league standings hanging in the balance, this match could prove decisive in shaping their future in the Women’s Super League (WSL).

Firstly, some team news where Arroyo reveals some good news for her side as midfielder Lucy Staniforth is back in training and will be a part of the squad at the weekend, however Noelle Maritz is suspended.

Reflecting on the defeat to bottom-of-table team Crystal Palace last weekend, Arroyo describes her team’s performance as “too nervous in that game, too much in a rush, too much wanting to win from the first minute”.

She also discusses how the first conceded goal affected her side, and that it is something that needs to be worked on in terms of managing squad emotions.

Moving on to the fixture this weekend: “Sunday will be a different game, Man United will probably force us to play a different game and I think in this case it can be an absolute different contest.”

Arroyo acknowledges the difficult period within the club and a further lack of confidence, she expresses how everyone needs to have patience and keep working hard, “I feel we will have another chance, we have six games to play”.

“We know that we are not in our best moment, but we still know that we have the will and we have the talent and we will put our best in every game.”

She believes that her team is getting to a better place, but they need a win to provide them with some light and positivity.

Finally, Arroyo states that she expects a tough game against a “super physical” and “super aggressive” Manchester United.