Aston Villa head coach Natalia Arroyo says her side ‘have a lot of respect’ for how much talent Arsenal have.
Arroyo’s squad are “excited to play another game” in the Women’s Super League, but there are some “tired legs” after Wednesday night’s meeting with Tottenham Hotspur in the Subway League Cup.
The Villans will go head-to-head with the Gunners in the first WSL clash of the weekend on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium.
“There is nothing to lose,” the manager proclaimed. “Go and compete and show our best version. We were able to a few months ago. It’s again the challenge to be able to do that in another stadium.”
‘I want my team to be brave’ against Arsenal says Arroyo
The last time the two sides met, Aston Villa delivered an emphatic display and walked away with a 5-2 victory. Arroyo reflected, “These type of wins when you are able to compete so well against one of the top teams — as we did against Chelsea — but if you are able to make it and to win these games, it gives you something else.
“It’s an extra boost, it’s this confidence, it’s this bravery and the next time you are facing these type of opponents, I want my team to be brave.”
Whilst the Villans do carry this confidence from May’s inspiring result, Arroyo is under no illusion that a trip to north London is ever an easy task.
“Of course we have a lot of respect for how much talent they have,” the manager declared, “and how much goals they can score if you are disconnected, if you are not ready. What we expect from them is they have ambition, and a little bit of revenge vibes probably.”
Providing her assessment of Renée Slegers’ side, Arroyo explained, “They manage quite well the momentum, this full Emirates, this big crowd helps them. And when they have their moment, they just hurt you, hurt you, hurt you. So, it’s something that we will need to manage.”
The Villans boss affirmed, “Of course, they are so talented, but we have also our strengths. It’s just bringing them and try to expose as less weaknesses as possible against them.”
