Chelsea face Aston Villa at Kingsmeadow on Friday night as the reigning champions kick-start the 2024/25 season in the Women’s Super League.
The game will mark the first competitive match in charge for new Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor, who reached the Women’s Champions League final with Lyon last season. She replaces Emma Hayes on the back of yet another title-winning campaign.
And last year’s champions will look to get off to the best possible start as they try to fend off what will likely be a strong challenge from fellow hopefuls Arsenal and Manchester City, who lost out on the title on goal difference last season and have signed ex-Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema to strengthen their attack.
Meanwhile Villa will look to make a strong start to the season after a seventh-placed finish in 2023/24.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.
When is Chelsea vs Aston Villa?
The match kicks off at 7pm BST on Friday 20 September at Kingsmeadow in Kingston-upon-Thames.
Where can I watch?
The match will be broadcast live on BBC Two, with coverage starting at 6.45pm BST. Subscribers can stream the match or watch online on BBC iPlayer.
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What is the team news?
Lucy Bronze and Sandy Baltimore make their full debuts for Chelsea in the first WSL line-up named by Sonia Bompastor. Erin Cuthbert is fit to start in midfield while Lauren James is on the bench for the home side.
For Aston Villa, Missy Bo Kearns starts following her move for Liverpool in the summer while Sabrina D’Angelo makes her first start in the WSL for the club. Rachel Daly leads the line and Jordan Nobbs, a former fan favourite of rivals Arsenal, starts too.
Starting lineups
Chelsea XI: Hampton; Bronze, Bright, Buchanan, Lawrence; Cuthbert, Nusken; Reiten, Baltimore, Kaneryd; Ramirez
Aston Villa XI: D’Angelo; Maritz, Patten, Parker, Tomas; Nobbs, Staniforth, Grant; Kearns, Dali; Daly
Odds
Chelsea 1/7
Draw 5/1
Aston Villa 11/1
Prediction
Chelsea should start their title defence in familiar fashion, with a comfortable win. Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa.