Manchester City Women to Kick Off New Season Against Aston Villa

Manchester City Women will travel to the Trevor Brown Memorial Ground on September 6 to face newly promoted Aston Villa. The opening fixtures for the 2020/21 FA Women’s Super League (WSL) have been released with the season set to begin on the first weekend in September.

City will then host Brighton at the Academy Stadium the following weekend, on Sunday 13 September. However, dates for the games are still subject to change. Kick-off times are also yet to be confirmed, as are the matches selected for TV coverage.

The team will be playing its first competitive game under Gareth Taylor since the 3-3 draw against Chelsea back in February. The Covid-19 pandemic forced an abrupt end to the 2019/20 campaign leading to Emma Hayes’ side being crowned champions.

The full 2020/21 fixture list will be released in early September. But the new campaign will begin behind closed doors until it is safe for fans to return to the stands.

“Fans have had to wait a while to see some live action and being able to announce the first two rounds of fixtures ahead of so many other leagues was something we really pushed for to build up the excitement ahead of the season starting,” Kelly Simmons, Director of the Women’s Professional Game said while speaking on the development.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing our players back on the field to show off their talent and showcase the very best of what the Barclays FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship has to offer.

“My hope is that they will be joined by supporters in our stadiums soon, because fans make the matchday experience even more special.”

City women could be expected to pick up maximum points against both Villa and Brighton based on recent performances. The team last faced Villa in a December 2018 Continental Cup group stage encounter. Gemma Bonner, Janine Beckie, Jess Park and Lauren Hemp all found the back of the net as City eased to a 4-0 away win. Facing Brighton at the Academy Stadium last term, City secured a comfortable 5-0 win.

Gareth Taylor’s main concern this season will be to wrestle the league title away from Chelsea and perform well on the continent.

Full List of Opening FA WSL Fixtures:

Opening weekend (5/6 September)

Arsenal v Reading

Aston Villa v Manchester City

Brighton & Hove Albion v Birmingham City

Bristol City v Everton

Manchester United v Chelsea

Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United

Second weekend (12/13 September)

Chelsea v Bristol City

Birmingham City v Manchester United

Everton v Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester City v Brighton & Hove Albion

Reading v Aston Villa

West Ham United v Arsenal