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The WSL winter break put a pause on the season for a month and Skinner says it has been beneficial for her side. She said: “I think we were ready for the break, I think a lot of players have obviously played a lot of football with all the tournaments in the summer. I think the break has been very good for us, players have come back refreshed and ready to go and we’re still working on the transfer window as well and we’ve had a new addition in that time. It’s a good start and we’re looking forward now to the second half of the season.”
There was a huge buzz around Beth England’s move to Spurs, not only because of how long she had been at Chelsea but for the reported record fee. Rehanne Skinner was asked about it at her press conference ahead of today’s match and her answer was ambiguous. “First of all don’t believe everything you read, in terms of the figure being exaggerated, the number that was the previous historic record isn’t accurate either, but you pay for what you get,” she said. “There was a transfer fee that needed to be paid and, as a club, we’re trying to evolve the team and it’s important that you pay those fees when you need to to get the right people in the door. As a footballer and a person, she’s going to add huge value to our team.”
So which transfer this window so far has you most excited? And who else would you want your club to bring in? Let me know your thoughts via Twitter, @rendellx, or email!
I know you are all as excited as me to see the WSL return but you may have missed news and updates over the month it has been away. Fear not, our very own Suzy Wrack has you covered. Read her piece below about signings and what you need to know ahead of round 11:
Aston Villa have revealed their starting team and new signing Jordan Nobbs and Lucy Staniforth are straight into the mix! Sarah Mayling also starts after extending her contract with the side.
Villa starting XI: Leat, Mayling, Patten, Turner, Pacheco, Staniforth, Nobbs, Dali, Blindkilde, Daly Hanson.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have handed a debut to their new player Beth England.
Spurs starting XI: Korpela, Turner, Zadorsky, Bartrip, Ale, James, Spence, Cho, Ayane, Ubogagu, England.
Preamble
Good morning and welcome to our coverage of Aston Villa v Tottenham, the game kicking off the Women’s Super League’s return. The league had a break over the Christmas period but it is back and both teams have new players in their ranks to put into action today.
Hosts Villa have arguably done the best business this window so far as they have acquired Jordan Nobbs from Arsenal and Lucy Staniforth from Manchester United. Tottenham, meanwhile, have been shrewd themselves with one of the biggest transfers coming to the club. Beth England has moved from Chelsea in what was reported to be the biggest financial transfer between two WSL clubs. All the new signings will be available today and we will find out shortly if they made the starting XI.
In terms of what a win will do for both clubs today, Villa could move to fifth with a victory and Spurs would be sixth. A draw would see each club stay in the same position which they are in now – Spurs are eighth and Villa are seventh.
Well let’s dive in! The team news will be available shortly so stay tuned ahead of kick-off at 12.30pm GMT.
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