Aston Villa have “something to start from” for Wembley dream
Aston Villa head coach Natalia Arroyo is dreaming of Wembley ahead of Tuesday night's quarter-final draw in the Women's FA Cup, writes Cameron Smith.
Villa overcame fellow Women's Super League side Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2 in their fifth-round clash with goals from Anna Patten, Rachel Daly and Chasity Grant.
That ensured Villa’s qualification for the last eight of the competition for just the second time in the last six seasons.
“Imagining being close to Wembley will be a dream come true," said Arroyo, a cup finalist with Spanish outfit Real Sociedad last season. "I asked them to make my dream possible, so let’s see what happens with the draw.
"We will fight until the end, and if we’re close to being in the final, it will be amazing.”
After being dumped out of the competition at the fourth-round stage last term, Villa now look ahead to Tuesday’s quarter-final draw where they could face the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City or Manchester United, who overcame Wolves 6-0 on Saturday.
“It’s something to start from, with more hope, more confidence, and I’m happy for the win,” said Arroyo, who saw her side secure their first victory in her second game in charge.
She added: "I have an amazing staff, making it really easy to show some of the clips [at half-time], to adjust to be aggressive out of possession.
“We wanted a No 8 and a 10, and we just balanced the positions and from that we were able to activate Chasity and Kirsty [Hanson] and they made the impact.”
Elsewhere across the West Midlands, Sporting Khalsa overcame West Brom in an all-Midlands affair in the Women's National League Northern Premier Division.
A double from Laura Smith cancelled out a first-minute opener from Albion’s Ellie May. The result sees Sporting Khalsa remain in 10th, three points away from West Brom in eighth.
Also in the Northern Premier Division, Stourbridge’s Rosie Embley netted a late consolation as they fell to a 6-1 defeat against Stoke City, seeing the club sit in 11th place and five points from safety, albeit with a game in hand.
In the West Midlands League Premier Division, Kidderminster Harriers overcame Port Vale 3-1, through a Millie Rogers double and a goal from Eloise Harris.
Tash Baptiste’s goal saw Lye Town beat Coventry Sphinx 1-0 on home soil.
In the West Midlands League Division One North, Lichfield City comfortably beat Newcastle Town 4-0, with Courtney Dilger, Jodie Mason and Holly Parkes getting on the scoresheet.
Walsall fell to a 1-0 defeat against Rugby Town, while Walsall Wood's clash against Leek Town Reserves was postponed.
