🏏 Sun, 22 Mar 2026 14:45 GMT
Leicester City Women
vs
Aston Villa Women
Positions estimated (no formation data from the API)
Substitutes
Substitutes
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- Alisha Lehmann lines up on Leicester's left against one of her former clubs. The 27-year-old Swiss international, who played at the 2023 World Cup and has also represented Juventus, Everton and West Ham, built her reputation on pace and direct dribbling. With more than 16 million followers she is the most followed player in the women's game, but the football question is simpler: can she beat a Villa defence that knows her habits?
- A second reunion sits in Leicester's back line. Centre-back Asmita Ale, 24, came through Aston Villa's academy before moving on to Tottenham Hotspur and then Leicester, and she carries the distinction of being the first player of Nepalese heritage to turn professional in England's top women's division. Her strength in individual duels will be tested by the attack of the club that developed her.
- Villa's full-backs bring serious pedigree. Lynn Wilms, 25, has 56 caps for the Netherlands and won the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg as well as reaching a UEFA Women's Champions League final, and she is a threat from set-pieces. On the left is Jenna Nighswonger, the United States international who featured at the 2024 Paris Olympics and won NWSL Rookie of the Year, currently on loan from Arsenal, with Switzerland's Noelle Maritz adding further tournament experience.
- The visiting centre-back pairing is equally well travelled. Anna Patten, 178cm, is an Ireland international who came through Arsenal's academy before playing college football at Florida State, and her aerial presence and leadership define Villa's shape. Alongside her, 27-year-old Lucy Parker spent time at UCLA and LSU in the United States before turning professional at West Ham, and her calm reading of the game complements Patten's physicality.
- The goalkeeping duel is a strong one. Leicester's Janina Leitzig is a 183cm German who arrived on loan from Bayern Munich, made the move permanent and was voted the club's player of the year at 26. Villa counter with Ellie Roebuck, the England international who has been on the books of Manchester City and Barcelona and whose comfort in possession lets her act as an extra passing option from the back.
- Leicester's defence is a genuinely international unit. Chantelle Swaby, a 178cm Jamaica international with World Cup and CONCACAF Championship appearances, won league titles with Fleury 91 in France and Rangers in Scotland. Julie Thibaud, capped by France and developed at Bordeaux, specialises in interceptions, while captain Sam Tierney, the club's all-time appearance record holder and scorer of the goal that sealed promotion to the WSL, organises everything around them.
- Villa may hold the edge in central midfield. Oriane Jean-François, 24, born in French Guiana, has played for Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea and won the U19 European Championship. Milly Taylor debuted for Chelsea at 16, later played for Arsenal and Angel City FC in the NWSL, and switched allegiance to Scotland in 2025. Completing the trio is 21-year-old Lucia Kendall, named player of the match on her England debut in October 2025.
- The wide one-on-ones could decide the tempo. Kirsty Hanson attacks Villa's left after sharpening her game at Manchester United, and the 27-year-old Scotland international has 42 caps and four goals along with dangerous crossing. Facing her is 32-year-old Ashleigh Neville, a long-serving Tottenham defender whose positional judgement is her calling card, while Wales forward Hannah Cain hunts the opposite flank with left-footed cut-ins.
- Both benches offer late contrast. Leicester can call on 38-year-old Rachel Williams, a 15-cap England forward who joined the academy at 12 and is now in her third spell at the club, plus 180cm Morocco international Rosella Ayane, who helped her country reach the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations final. Villa answer with Ebony Salmon, the England forward and academy graduate whose explosive pace was honed in the NWSL.