Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor hints at a possible return for Sam Kerr, as well as a debut for Alyssa Thompson.
Chelsea debutant Ellie Carpenter got off to a fast-start last week as her Player of the Match showing helped the Blues over the line. Chelsea may welcome a new star to their ranks this weekend as Alyssa Thompson eyes up her WSL debut. The side signed Thompson from NWSL side Angel City for what was said to be a club record £1 million.
“We are hoping for her to be able to play, we don’t have the confirmation yet but we are hoping for her to be able to play,” said Bompastor. “My staff are in charge and they are trying to bring as much clarity as we can on the situation and they will be updating me as quick as we can.”
The WSL champions could be further boosted ahead of their trip to the Midlands as Matildas star striker Sam Kerr eyes up a return.
“Sam’s ready and she had a good pre-season,” Bompastor said. “It was my choice not to have Sam come in for the game last weekend, she had a good week. She’s in a good place mentally and physically, so maybe on Sunday, we’ll see. She’s doing everything she can to be available for the squad, available to start the game.”
Bompastor expecting a ‘top game’ against Aston Villa
The Blues commenced the 2025/26 Women’s Super League (WSL) season in winning fashion, grabbing a 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. As for Sunday’s opponents, Aston Villa secured one point on the road in a cagey 0-0 draw to Brighton & Hove Albion.
“Every game is important in this league and we all know that the game against Villa offers three points,” Bompastor said on Chelsea’s upcoming opponents. “Every game matters; we want to make sure we perform in every game. We know from last season, travelling to Aston Villa, that’s never an easy place to go, so we are expecting a top game.”
“They have really good players upfront and are also really well-organised out of possession. We know from experience last year, it’s never easy to play them because I think out of possession, they can be a really well-organised team but also, in transition and they can hurt teams with the speed they have.”
