RACHEL DALY is urging fans who flocked to the Lionesses’ Euros games to fill the stands at WSL clashes.
The Aston Villa ace, 30, was speaking after her side stunned Manchester City on Sunday in front of a raucous Villa Park crowd.
Daly was among the stars who dazzled as Carla Ward’s side clinched a memorable 4-3 win having lost the previous four league encounters against City.
The forward, who bagged a brace in front of a crowd of more than 6,000 said: “After the Euros I said I don’t want these fans to just come and show up for England.
“I’d like them to keep supporting the WSL and they (Villa fans) absolutely did that.
“They were brilliant, the noise was wild and when the goals when in it was just a joke to hear them.
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“It was a real pleasure to play in front of them and meet a lot of them.”
Fan turnouts at top-flight games have been an ongoing talking point since the WSL’s creation in 2011.
On Sunday Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat of title-holders Chelsea attracted a record Prenton Park crowd of more than 3,000.
And more than 5,000 punters watched Manchester United trounce Reading 4-0 at Leigh Sports Village at this term’s curtain opener.
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On Saturday Arsenal are expecting more than 45,000 spectators for their Emirates derby battle with Tottenham.
This figure would see them shatter the record for the highest attended WSL match.
The record currently stands at 38,262 – the number who turned out to see the North London opponents at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November 2019.
This Sunday Villa, currently third behind the Gunners and United, take on Leicester City at King Power Stadium.
Last term Villa sealed home and away wins against the Foxes registering 2-1 results in both matches.
Ward’s side will be pushing for three points following their efforts last time out.
And the Villa boss is keeping her feet firmly on the ground in terms of the club’s league ambitions this term.
Ward, 38, said: “We don’t want to get carried away as this was the first game of the season.
“We turned up, we performed and got a result, but we have to focus on making sure that we continue to look for a top eight spot.
“If we finish above that, we’ll be delighted.
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“Everyone knows I’m ambitious and so are the players that we’ve brought in.
“We brought in experience that can allow our youngsters to step up and we want to keep improving.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
