Manchester City hunt victory to see out the year as WSL front runners

Manchester City women host Aston Villa in their final Barclays Women’s Super League fixture of the year at the Joie Stadium.

Head coach, Andrée Jegerletz addressed the media in good spirits as his side sit six points clear at the top of the table. With three points this weekend, City would head into the New Year comfortably ahead in the title race.

Team news

Earlier this week, the club announced the extension of Rebecca Knaak’s contract until 2028. On this extension, the head coach spoke about just how important it is for the club and their morals. Despite being sidelined with injuring in Jegerletz’s first few months in Manchester, he already speaks highly of her contributions on and off the pitch:

“For us she's a leader on and off… Never losing her duels, but also her in possession of qualities in passing.”

The German spoke within her interview post renewal that she feels as if she's almost restarted her footballing career in a way due to how special her year at the club has been. After having a below standard season last year, Jegerletz gave his perspective that the team's energy and attitude is positively impacting the team to help the accomplish these results.

Greenwood amounts to the excellent calibre of City’s defence. However, she has unfortunately been sidelined again for the club with yet another small injury. Regarding her progress, Jegerletz hinted she is edging closer to a return in the New Year:

“Alex has been doing well she's been training with the team a little bit modified thus week so we will see how she is responding.”

Defensive excellence

Alongside Knaak and Greenwood, the calibre of City’s defence is becoming recognised as one of the best in the league, with the likes of Leila Ouahabi, Jade Rose, and Kerstin Casparij and setting high standards. However, this causes a selection dilemma in the starting backline, which Jegerletz confirmed is chosen based on what the game needs:

“It's a fantastic situation that we are in with this squad were having… 100% i gives you right that we can choose and pick but I'm also looking at how much the players are training every week, how they are performing, how did they do last game.”

The competition is tight for a starting spot, but Jegerletz confirmed that the team are a collective with every individual playing a key role in their success:  

“Not everyone can start and not everyone can finish but they can definitely have a role in this team and they will have, all of them.”

Winning mentality

As City approach their last WSL game of the year, before their last match pre-winter break against West Ham United, the head coach was questioned about the winning mentality within the squad.

The team embody the mentality of winning, rather than thinking of the option to lose. After not thinking of the possibility of a loss, Jegerletz confirmed the team aim for three points this weekend, then will rehabilitate and prepare for their cup action:

“Right now, we have done a great fall, a great season so far, and the plan is to finish it off in a great way on Sunday and also in the cup next weekend.”

Within the dressing room, the team and group of players have been considered as “hunters”, in terms of chasing down results and points with the relentless pursuit to overcome opponents. Jegerletz spoke about how he sees the team, and the mentality within the team is always to be improving and building on all their performances:

“I think for us I haven't seen any difference within the group; I think we’re hunting all the time.”

Previewing Aston Villa

Looking at to their opponents, Villa took all three points within their mid-week fixture, slotting three goals past Liverpool. Having a midweek fixture, Jegerletz did not particularly express the belief that Villa’s heavier schedule will contribute to their performance:

“I think all the players in this league are probably physically ready with a couple days of turn around.”

The home side will remain strong and prepared, however a standard performance from the away side can be expected, as they come with confidence on the back of a dominant win. The side are aware of what the club are able to accomplish, having picked up points against the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal. However, City prepared as usual, with focus on both the positive and negative aspects of their game play in order to gain all three points.

Manchester City will face their opponents, Aston Villa for their final WSL clash of the year at 11:55 (BST) on Sunday the 14th of December.