Oxford United will be hoping to end a goal drought on Sunday when they welcome Aston Villa to Northcourt Road. The hosts have managed only one goal so far this season, courtesy of captain Sahara Osborne-Ricketts’ free kick in their 1-0 victory over Watford on the opening day.
Oxford are unlikely to include striker Gemma Simmonds as she continues her recovery from an ankle injury and there was also some bad news midweek for Aston Villa’s Sarah Mayling, whose knee injury is feared to keep her out for the rest of the season.
Aston Villa have also managed only one win of the new campaign, which again came against the struggling hornets. However, the claret and blues’ victory margin was much bigger than their hosts, running out comfortable 4-1 winners in front of a record crowd at Vicarage Road.
More recently the two teams have struggled for form and Oxford go into the match on the back of two 0-3 defeats to Durham and Yeovil.
Villa have conceded 10 goals in their last 2 fixtures, letting in 5 to Doncaster Rovers Belles without reply before losing out 1-5 to a strong Notts County side in the FA Cup 6th round.
But head coach Joe Hunt believes the team can return to winning ways this weekend. “After back-to-back defeats, we are looking to get a positive result this weekend.
“We know it will be extremely tough against a good Oxford team but the ladies have worked exceptionally hard in training this week”.
These two sides met 3 times in all competitions last year, with Villa winning each one. Oxford boss Les Taylor is more confident this time around.
“Aston Villa are not a million miles away from us. We had three very close games against them last season and I expect it to be the same this time” he said.
