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      Eidevall urges caution on prioritising undersoil heating over other areas of women’s game in need of investment

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      JONAS EIDEVALL reckons long and short-term solutions are needed to stop frozen pitches disrupting women’s matches. And the Arsenal chief warned against undersoil heating taking priority over areas in need of attention within the sport.
      Jonas Eidevall believes the women’s game needs to consider all areas of the sport that require investment besides undersoil heatingCredit: Getty
      The Arsenal boss shared his thoughts three days after Brighton’s WSL duel with Arsenal was postponed due to a frozen pitchCredit: PA
      Eidevall’s side are due to play Aston Villa this evening in the Conti Cup quarter-finals.
      The fixture comes four days after their WSL clash with Brighton was postponed due to an icy pitch. 
      The match was one of five games called off across the top tier and Women’s Championship because of frozen turfs following plummeting temperatures. 
      Chelsea’s home duel with Liverpool at Kingsmeadow was one of the most high profile fixtures postponed.
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      The game was halted six minutes after kick-off. 
      And events at the match, which saw players slipping on icy parts of the pitch led to calls for undersoil heating at grounds used by women’s top tier sides. 
      When asked for his thoughts on solutions, Eidevall said: “I don’t think that is quite as easy as having undersoil heating. 
      “You have to look at it from all investment angles.
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      “You need to prioritise and there are so many things we would like to invest in in the women’s game at the moment.
      “When you see the cost for undersoil heating and compare it to the cost of having a proper academy system in order to develop more British players – it is not easy to see how you prioritise that money.
      “In life in general, the easy thing is to try to fix the topic of the day.
      “I completely agree with Emma (Hayes) what happened at the Chelsea game to play those minutes was really bad for the league.
      “But when we look at it from a zoomed-out perspective, we need to really see what the priorities should be with investment.
      “We can’t make it emotional and because this was a problem yesterday, that all money should go into that.
       “If you look historically in January, it is a troublesome month to play on grass pitches. We can’t change nature. 
      “Maybe when games are scheduled there there should be an awareness that it’s problematic.
      “I think the solution is the difference between long-term and short-term. 
      “Short-term, it’s communication. Early communication saves fans money and time. 
      “From a league perspective, it saves us from seeing pictures like we saw at Chelsea v Liverpool on Sunday, which is really bad advertising for the WSL.”
      Arsenal are due to carry out a pitch inspection at 12 midday to assess whether their clash with Carla Ward’s Villa side will go ahead. 
      The club says a decision on if the 7:45 pm game will take place will be made immediately after the inspection. 
      Arsenal explored “the possibility” of the match being played at the Emirates but stated it would not be possible due to “essential pitch maintenance” work taking place at the ground. 
      Villa boss Carla Ward stated she was hopeful the game would ahead. 
      Her team, which now includes former Gunners midfielder Jordan Nobbs, have enjoyed a promising start to this year.
      They defeated Tottenham 2-1 at home and nabbed a draw away at Manchester City in their first two WSL games this year. 
      And Ward believes club trophy-winning experiences of players such as Nobbs and Rachel Daly will be beneficial for the mindset of her side. 
      The Villa manager said: “We have senior players who have not got to (cup) finals before or semi finals, so it’s important to tap into those players, new and old, who have had those experiences. 
      “We’ve got to really rely on them, but we’re growing and developing the right way. 
      Carla Ward believes Aston Villa have a good opportunity to cause a Conti Cup upset against Arsenal this eveningCredit: PA
      “We’re continuing to play the way that we want to play and making sure that we close gaps on these bigger teams. 
      “It doesn’t happen overnight and anyone  who thinks it does is hugely mistaken.
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      “We have to continue the process and it is a process, as boring as that sounds. 
      “This game is a real opportunity to hopefully cause an upset and get ourselves into a semi-final of a cup (competition).” More

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      Emma Hayes hopes WSL authorities and clubs can come together to tackle frozen turf concerns

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      EMMA HAYES insists WSL chiefs and clubs should come together to find a solution to prevent the chaos of frozen pitches halting games.The Chelsea boss suggested an environmentally friendly option could be part of the answer to a problem that goes beyond events at the Blues ground on Sunday.
      Emma Hayes says preventing frozen pitches from disrupting fixtures is a matter for the WSL as a whole to considerCredit: PA
      Hayes’ Chelsea side are due to face Tottenham away in a Conti Cup quarter-final fixture on Wednesday eveningCredit: Reuters
      Tottenham say an inspection of their pitch will take place on Wednesday afternoon to determine if the game will go ahead
      Hayes, whose players are due to visit Brisbane Road tomorrow evening for a Conti Cup quarters duel with Tottenham, was speaking two days after the postponement of her team’s WSL clash with Liverpool. 
      The Blues’ match at Kingsmeadow was one of three top tier games shelved due to icy pitches and player safety concerns.
      Tottenham’s duel with Leicester was also postponed along with Brighton’s Sunday night game against Arsenal. 
      Spurs confirmed a pitch check will be conducted on Wednesday afternoon at the ground they share with League Two men’s side Leyton Orient. 
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      In an update shared via their web site, the club said: “The pitch inspection will take place at 2:00 pm on Wednesday.
      “A final decision on whether the match can be played will be made shortly after.
      “We will communicate the outcome of the inspection with supporters as soon as the match official has made the decision via the club website and social media channels.”
      Hayes, 46, has been in conversation with Chelsea’s owners in regard to frozen turf issues which saw the Blues’ clash against Liverpool called off after six minutes. 
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      She said: “I’ve spoken with our owners about it and they share the same vision and the same ideas that I do around the women’s game.
      “This isn’t about Chelsea, this is about women’s football being in a place where we’re working hard to build a fan base, build a business and to build all of those things.
      “This is about ensuring every match happens and maybe that’s something the league as a whole has to consider. 
      That’s about a consultation with the FA and clubs to ensure that those fixtures happen. It should be  non-negotiable.
      “Cancelling games has a detrimental impact on our sport.
      “Whatever it takes to ensure that fans who are travelling up and down the country are not having a game cancelled six minutes in, is something we should all work towards.
      “Undersoil heating – which someone quite rightly pointed out – is not exactly environmentally friendly.  
      “An environmentally friendly option for football pitches in an ideal world, so that we can play in the top division, is what I think we should expect.
      “Let’s hope we can work towards that.”
      Arsenal say a pitch inspection is due to be carried out at their Meadow Park home at midday Wednesday before their league cup duel with Aston Villa on Thursday night. 
      The club stated a decision on whether the game would go ahead will be taken immediately after the inspection. 
      A pitch inspection will take place at lunchtime on Wednesday at the ground Arsenal share with Boreham Wood before their Conti Cup match against Aston VillaCredit: PA
      However Arsenal said that it would not be possible for the match to be moved to the Emirates due to “essential pitch maintenance” work. 
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      When asked what contingency could be put in place in the event of a WSL side having a frozen pitch and no access to their men’s team ground, Hayes added: “Maybe we reschedule winter games in stadiums that we know have undersoil heating for example.
      “Maybe that could be the next step.  More

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      Chelsea Women’s fan group to push for undersoil heating at home of WSL title-holders after frozen pitch fiasco

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      WOMEN’S football stars and fans criticised the shambolic scenario of Chelsea having their WSL game against Liverpool halted after six minutes due to a frozen pitch.A Blues supporters group say they intend to contact the club about undersoil heating at the home of the women’s side. 
      Chelsea Women’s Supporters Group intend approach officials at the club in regard to undersoil heating KingsmeadowCredit: Getty
      The Blues’ Sunday lunchtime duel with Liverpool was suspended following concerns for players safety on the frosty turfCredit: PA
      Pitch covers and blowers had been deployed prior kick-off in a bid to improve surface conditions ahead of the gameCredit: Getty
      The high profile duel between Emma Hayes’ Blues and Matt Beard’s Reds became the second of three WSL fixtures kiboshed by frosty turf conditions. 
      And sixth tier women’s side Brentford saw their game against Whyteleafe called off ten minutes into the second half due to icy turf.
      Match goers at Chelsea’s Kingsmeadow ground and WSL followers on social media expressed amazement at the 12:30pm fixture being suspended minutes into the game.
      The game was officially given the green light to ahead by referee Neil Hair.
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      Events unfolded live on BBC Two with the game being aired on the channel.
      Players in the starting eleven for Chelsea and Liverpool and WSL fans took to social media platforms to share their dismay at the debacle.
      Many called for better treatment and respect for Women’s Super League games. 
      Via her Twitter account Chelsea ace Katerina Svitkova wrote: “There is still a lot to do in women’s football. 
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      “It is very sad that in this league this still can happen. We need better, we deserved better.”
      Blues winger Erin Cuthbert, whose team will face Liverpool at home this Sunday in the FA Cup, tweeted: “So, so sorry to all our fans who turned up today and braved the cold weather. 
      “This shouldn’t be happening and we will demand more for our game. 
      “Angry and frustrated but we will be ready for Wednesday.”
      Cuthbert’s club-mate and Blues goalkeeper Zecira Musovic described the situation as “a major joke” 
      Musovic tweeted: “Who needs 90 minutes when you can get it all in 8’.
      “End to end action, some ice skating in the middle from Niamh (Fahey), ref calling the two skippers for a serious chat and the other coach going crazy for it being too dangerous.
      “That was a major joke, unacceptable. Do better.”
      In an Instagram post, centre-back Kadeisha Buchanan wrote: “It’s mind boggling that there are games/training (sessions) being cancelled because of frozen pitches throughout the league. 
      “We play in a cold country, we should have heated pitches too. 
      “Where are our ratings as women footballers?”
      And her Blues colleague and vice-skipper Millie Bright added: “On every front today (Sunday) was unacceptable!!
      “We demand more for our game.. DO BETTER.”
      Brighton’s Sunday evening WSL game against Arsenal was called off ahead of the fixture’s 6:45 pm startCredit: PA
      The postponement sparked debate on the need for undersoil heating at grounds hosting women’s top tier games. 
      And a Blues’ fan group intends to discuss the issue with their club which is the eighth richest in the world according Deloitte’s latest Football League money rankings. 
      Chelsea Women’s Supporters Group told SunSport: “We have been very lucky with the pitch at Kingsmeadow 
      “Since the team has been playing there we’ve only had one or two games postponed so we have never called for it (undersoil heating) in the past. 
      “We will now have a conversation with the club that this should be in place at Kingsmeadow.”
      After the match’s suspension, Blues skipper Magda Eriksson told reporters: “The players were trying to mentally prepare for the game as we would. 
      “We were just following what we’ve been told and trying to get on with it. 
      “It was quite obvious once the whistle blew it wasn’t possible to play the game and obviously should have been dealt with in a better way.”
      Liverpool striker Katie Stengel appeared to question why Stamford Bridge was not chosen as the ground for the fixture with the home of the Blues’ Prem players not in use today.
      The Reds ace quote tweeted a post from Vivianne Miedema in which the Arsenal forward called for the deployment of undersoil heating at grounds.
      In her tweet, which followed an earlier post of footage of players losing their balance on the turf at Kingsmeadow, Stengel wrote: “I heard Stamford Bridge was wide open today.”
      In a statement the FA said matchday referee Hair gave the fixture the go-ahead after a 09:30 pitch inspection
      A second check before kick-off also followed with the use of a pitch cover and heaters. 
      Liverpool boss Matt Beard questioned why the game was not called off before kick-off with many Reds fans having undertaken long journeys down to LondonCredit: Getty
      However it is thought a number of players flagged edges of the pitch were slippery with some seen losing their balance after the game commenced before being postponed. 
      A Women’s Super League spokesperson said: “We worked hard with the clubs and the match officials to safely play the Barclay’s Women’s Super League fixture between Chelsea and Liverpool as scheduled. 
      “Following inspections before the match, the pitch was deemed to be playable by the matchday referee. 
      “However, shortly after kick off, the referee made the decision to abandon the match in order to protect the safety of the players, which is paramount. 
      “We sincerely apologise to all fans who travelled to the match. The fixture will be rescheduled in due course.”
      Hayes publicly apologised to Blues and Reds fans who flocked to the game 
      Whilst stating the timing of the call-off was wrong she said the decision to postpone was the right one for the safety of players. 
      Hayes was asked by BBC Sport guest pundit Hope Powell whether undersoil heating is needed at matches.
      The Blues chief said: “We’ve made progress, investment has gone into the quality of the grass and surfaces across the league.
      “Next step is undersoil heating. No game in the women’s game at this top level should be cancelled, end of subject. 
      Emma Hayes said player safety was important and flagged the need for undersoil heating following the suspension Chelsea’s match against LiverpoolCredit: Reuters
      “We need undersoil heating l everywhere. We don’t live in Barbados.”
      Brighton postponed their Sunday evening duel with Arsenal two hours and 34 minutes before their 6:45 pm kick-off. 
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      And Tottenham’s Sunday clash with rock Leicester became the first Women’s Super League encounter to be called off this weekend.
      Spurs announced the postponement on Saturday night.  More

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      Emma Hayes says Chelsea clash with Liverpool should not have gone ahead after WSL game is called off due to frozen pitch

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      EMMA HAYES called the turf at Kingsmeadow “an ice rink” after Chelsea were forced to postpone their WSL clash with Liverpool.The 12:30pm match – which was being aired live on BBC Two – was halted after just six minutes due to frosty pitch conditions.
      Chelsea’s clash with Liverpool became the second WSL duel to fall foul of a frozen pitch this weekendCredit: Alamy
      The match was called off after just six minutes by referee Neil Hair due to icy conditions at KingsmeadowCredit: Alamy
      Emma Hayes addressed the crowd at Kingsmeadow to apologise for the game being haltedCredit: Alamy
      Liverpool boss Matt Beard says the match could have been called off before it kicked offCredit: PA
      Mild boos rang out from the crowd which included fans who travelled down to London from Liverpool early this morning to watch Matt Beard’s side in action.
      A pitch inspection took place at 9:30 today with Chelsea tweeting that the fixture would go ahead.
      But the match was later halted by referee Neil Hair with the surface being deemed unsafe to play on before officially being called off in the ninth minute.
      The game was the second WSL fixture to be called off due to a frozen pitch with Tottenham’s duel with Leicester also postponed.

      Hayes apologised to supporters who travelled to the ground saying the decision to call off the match was wrong in terms of the timing but right for the players in terms of safety
      The Chelsea chief told BBC Sport: “Where do you begin? You can see from the opening minutes it’s like an ice rink down the sides.
      “For Matt Beard he’s upset that it got to that point and he’s right.
      “It’s not for managers to decide that, it’s for the FA and officials to determine when it’s on.
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      “We did have heaters on. I think this is when we have to start saying to ourselves we have to have undersoil heating.
      “We have got to take our game seriously.
       “Yes, we can have blowers and little pitch tents, but it’s not going to be enough – it’s minus one (degrees here).”
      When BBC Sport guest pundit Hope Powell asked if the game should have started, Hayes said “never”.
      The Chelsea chief added: “You know everybody wants to get the game on.
      “But when you got emotions of one team wants to play, one team doesn’t want to play, that’s when you have to have outside parties there.
      “There’s no FA here and they need to be at our games to execute those decisions.”
      Reds chief Beard criticised the length of time it took to make the decision to postpone the game with players thought to have complained about the turf being slippery.
      Hayes’ and Beard’s teams will face each other in the FA Cup fourth round next SundayCredit: Alamy
      When asked for this thoughts on what referee communicated to him, Beard said: “I don’t know why it took six or seven minutes that it was frozen.
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      “It was frozen in the morning and frozen in the warm-up.
      “I’m just gutted for our fans because they set off at five o’clock this morning when it could have been postponed at 9:30 because the pitch wasn’t safe.” More

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      Eni Aluko hopes to inspire young women who do not make it as footballers to take on other jobs in the sport

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      ENI ALUKO hopes young female players who do not make the grade as pros will not be deterred from pursuing football careers off the pitch. The former Chelsea star spoke out this week as Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall said female coaches and technical staff are “the most under-tapped resource in professional football”. 
      Eni Aluko hopes to highlight the efforts of women building football careers off the pitchCredit: Getty
      The former Chelsea ace hopes to encourage young women do not make the cut as professional players to pursue other roles in the sportCredit: PA:Press Association
      Debate around the lack of women working as coaches in the professional game as well as in backroom roles on these shores has been ongoing. 
      Currently just four managers in the WSL are female with Carla Ward, Emma Hayes, Kelly Chambers and Rehanne Skinner in charge of Aston Villa, Chelsea, Reading and Tottenham. 
      Last March a report produced by Fair Game, a collective of 34 football clubs stated that only 11.1 percent of board members at Premier League clubs are female. 
      Aluko is supporting a campaign backed by the Blues, and mobile phone firm Three, highlighting women working in coaching and football roles off the pitch. 
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      The former England forward, 35, whose old club play Liverpool later, said said: “I’m passionate about encouraging girls and young women who may not necessarily make it as pros.
      “There are so many other things to do in football if you love the game. 
      “It’s about what are the other career paths in the sport for women away from the pitch. 
      “The more we spotlight those careers, the more young women and girls can think, ‘even if I don’t play or make it as a pro, I can still have a career in the game’.”
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      Aluko, now a TV pundit, relished her previous post as sporting director at Aston Villa Women.
      She helped the club to bring in a number of experienced internationals in the team’s first WSL season in 2020-21, including a loan swoop for Japan forward Mana Iwabuchi.
      It is a job Aluko did from January 2020 before leaving to take up a similar post with US top-flight side Angel City in May 2021. 
      The team, who finished eighth in their first season in the National Women’s Soccer League last year, have a majority female ownership.
      Their investors include Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman and retired 23-time tennis grand slam winner Serena Williams. 
      Eni Aluko oversaw player recruitment at Angel City FCCredit: Getty
      The club are National Women’s Soccer League newest side competing in the division for the first time last yearCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Aluko, who won eight major trophies Birmingham, Charlton, Chelsea and Juventus, became the National Women’s Soccer outfit’s first sporting director before departing this month.
      She added: “I learned so much and gained a lot of great experience, particularly at Villa where the job was really to keep the team up in the first season, professionalise the women’s team and now you see where they are.
      “Just from being an established WSL team, they’ve been able to go on and sign some top players like Rachel Daly.
      “My job at Angel City was very much a unique role in terms of building the team from scratch, which I enjoyed doing.
      “My skills as a trained lawyer and player fitted into that.”
      Today Eluko’s former side Chelsea and her old boss Emma Hayes will bid to extend their three-point lead at the WSL’s summit when they take on Liverpool who are ninth. 
      The Blues lost their season-opening game against the Reds in September before embarking on a run of nine wins and a draw.
      Aluko said: “Chelsea are very much where you’d expect them to be at the top of the table
      “But it is quite a close title race this year with Man United playing brilliantly and Man City and Arsenal there as well.
      “It’s great to see such a competitive title battle. 
      “I was at Chelsea’s match against Arsenal at the Emirates last Sunday when they drew (1-1) “Arsenal were probably the best team on the day but Chelsea always find a way of getting a result.” 
      Eluko, who won three league titles and two FA Cups during her two-year spell with the Blues has fond memories of watching Erin Cuthbert make her mark in the team in her early Chelsea days
      The versatile midfielder and wing-back has notched up two goals and one assist in 10 starts this term
      Goals including a wonder strike against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge which saw her win December’s WSL Goal of the Month award. 
      Aluko added: “I remember when Erin came to Chelsea and she was on trial. And we were like, ‘who is this cocky little player?’ 
      “She has a bit of banter about her.
      Aluko has been impressed by Erin Cuthbert’s efforts for Chelsea this seasonCredit: Getty
      “I’ll never forget on the first day of her trial, she scored an incredible left-foot volley. 
      “We all looked at each other and said, ‘where did Emma find this girl?’.  
      “And that’s one of the best things about Emma, she always finds these sort of hidden gems.
      “So many years later, Erin is still scoring important goals and knitting everything together and she’s so versatile.”
      While Chelsea are targeting a fourth consecutive WSL title this term, Aluko believes her old boss will be keen to add a Champions League trophy to her silverware wins.
      Aluko said: “There is no doubt, Emma wants to win the Champions League.
      “That is what has eluded her and she will absolutely want to win it.
      Aluko says Emma Hayes will be eager to lead Chelsea to Champions League gloryCredit: Reuters
      “Evolution is a good word to use for Emma because that is what she is all about. 
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      “She’s not a coach who is going to say, ‘because we won it this way last year, we’re going to do exactly the same thing’. 
      “But the constant is winning, the culture is always about winning.” More

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      Rachel Daly hails Kenza Dali’s efforts as Carla Ward praises result that gives Villa hope of closing gap on top four

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      RACHEL DALY praised Kenza Dali’s ‘special talent’ after Aston Villa derailed Manchester City’s title hunt clinching a 1-1 draw.Kirsty Hanson’s first-half-leveller saw the Citizens drop points at home in the league for the second time this season.
      Kirsty Hanson was on target for the visitors who moved up to fifth in the league after a 1-1 draw with Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      Khadija Shaw gave the Citizens an early home lead with her tenth league goal this termCredit: Reuters
      Carla Ward’s side have claimed four points from their two league games against Man City this seasonCredit: Reuters
      City, who have gone 13 games unbeaten across all competitions, are currently five behind WSL leaders Chelsea. 
      But they could end up eight points off the Blues if the league leaders beat Liverpool at home on Sunday. 
      Dali and Hanson, who is on loan from Man United, helped pull the strings in Villa’s attack as they notched up their second win in a row since the start of this year. 
      Of Dali’s display, Daly, who previously played alongside the France playmaker at West Ham, told Sky Sports: “This girl’s a special talent.
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      “She doesn’t quite get the credit that she deserves.
      “We had chemistry before (on the pitch) when we’re at West Ham together straight off the bat and we’ve brought it here.”
      Victory for Villa has seen them go unbeaten against City home and away in a WSL season for the first time since their promotion to the top tier in 2020. 
      They put in an effective counter-attacking display equalising within three minutes of their hosts’ opener.
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      The team are now fifth before their league cup quarters clash with Arsenal on Thursday. 
      Villa boss Carla Ward said: “I don’t think there’s been a game this year where we parked the bus. 
      “If we’re going to shorten the gap (between ourselves and other teams) over the next couple of years, it’s important we continue to play with the style and identity that we set out at the start of the season.
      “To be fair this (performance) will give the girls hope.
      “We have gone out and competed with one of the best teams in the country and possibly dented their Champions League hopes.”
      City got off to a flyer with Khadija Shaw almost capitalising on a Villa error
      The visitors’ goalkeeper Anna Leat gave the ball away in the fourth minute with Chloe Kelly hitting the side netting moments later. 
      And Gareth Taylor’s side took the lead in the 28th minute with Deyna Castellanos poking home after an assist threaded through from Shaw. 
      But the visitors burst their bubble shortly after with Hanson levelling just minutes later, after a looped delivery from Daly. 
      The second spell saw Kerstin Casparij come on for City after an injury to Esme Morgan with Rachel Corsie coming for Danielle Turner.
      And both sides came close to nabbing winners with Hanson thumping the post with a curved effort and Shaw forcing a close range save from Leat in injury time. 
      City boss Taylor said: “Our concentration span was poor for the goal we conceded. 
      Taylor’s side will hope to return to winning ways when they visit Leicester in their next WSL fixture on February 4Credit: Reuters
      “We just couldn’t quite get the symmetry right.
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      “It’s tough (to concede a quick goal). It’s always horrible when that happens.
      “A point is not what we wanted. We wanted three points but I think given the performance, it’s a point that we appreciate.” More

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      Carla Ward backs Nobbs’ push for a Lionesses spot and reflects on Aston Villa’s progress after extending stay as boss

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      CARLA WARD is backing Jordan Nobbs to put herself in the frame for a spot in Sarina Wiegman’s England squad.And the Aston Villa boss, who has extended her contract as manager of the club’s WSL side, has not ruled out more January transfer signings.
      Carla Ward’s contract extension will see her remain at Aston Villa’s helm until the end of next seasonCredit: Getty
      Jordan Nobbs impressed Ward on her Villa debut with the player in line to start against Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      Ward, 39, whose team take on Manchester City on Saturday, has seen her side make a winning start to the year following Lucy Staniforth and Nobbs joining their ranks. 
      The experienced midfield duo were both given debuts by Ward last Saturday with the Villans clinching a 2-1 home win against Tottenham. 
      Nobbs’ first turnout in a Villa shirt came just over two months on from her recall to the England squad ahead of Wiegman’s side’s friendly defeat of Japan and draw with Norway.
      However the player was forced to withdraw from the Lionesses squad ahead of those November due to a minor injury. 
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      Ward, who was impressed by Nobbs’ shift on her Villa debut, said: “After her first game, I’ll be honest, I got straight on the phone to Sarina.  
      “I said, ‘You’ve got to be watching our games currently because we’ve got players massively performing and they’re doing well’.”
      Villa’s duel with Man City at 11:30 on Saturday comes two days after the club announced a contract extension for Ward.
      Her new deal will see her remain in charge of the team until the end of the 2023-24 season. 
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      Since taking up the reins after leaving Birmingham City Ward has led her side to a ninth place finish last term. 
      And she has strengthened the depth of her squad this term adding experienced internationals to her ranks. 
      Players include summer signings Rachel Daly, Kenza Dali and Kirsty Hanson (who is on loan from Manchester United)  with Nobbs and Staniforth joining the club this month. 
      On Villa’s progress and the possibility of further signings this month, Ward added: “I’m not sure (of more signings).
      “But the window is always alive and kicking until it closes. I’ll continue to knock on (Villa head of women’s football) Lee Billiard’s door. 
      “Some of the infrastructure we’ve put in place, and some of the bodies we’ve brought in has been key to the success on the pitch.
      “Now it’s about moving forward.”
      Ward’s efforts around development of the team has provided some reward this term. 
      Villa could move up to fifth in the WSL if they defeat Manchester City before Everton’s and West Ham’s clashCredit: Getty
      Her side have reached the knockout stages of the Continental Cup and notched up five wins from their first ten games including a 4-3 defeat of Man City in the league.
      Ward, reflecting on the win, said: “That day I was emotionally drained by the 90th minute. 
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      “It was an unbelievable game of football that I’ve watched back a few times. 
      “I think this one will be very different. Manchester City have progressed massively, as have we.” More

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      UK broadcast outlets reportedly agree deal with Fifa to televise this year’s Women’s World Cup

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      AN agreement to air this year’s Women’s World Cup on television in the UK is thought to have been reached, according to reports.  This comes just over six months after the launch of Fifa’s tender process for the sale of tournament media rights to UK broadcasters.  
      A deal to air this year’s Women’s World Cup matches on UK television has reportedly been agreed between Fifa and broadcastersCredit: Reuters
      It is reported the deal could see the BBC and ITV share coverage of the tournament’s games including matches involving the LionessesCredit: Prime Media
      Earlier this week The Independent reported a deal was still outstanding with sources informing the paper that offers from UK channels were “lowballing Fifa”.
      Talks were also said to still be ongoing. 
      Today the Daily Mail reports a “major breakthrough” has been reached in regard to the contest being aired on national television. 
      It is claimed an agreement is expected to be confirmed and publicised in the near future. 
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      And it also thought the deal could potentially see coverage shared by BBC, who along with Sky Sports broadcast Women’s Super League games, and ITV. 
      This year’s World Cup will take place a year after the Euros hosted in England with the Lionesses and their rivals pulling in record stadium crowds and television viewers. 
      Last July’s Euros final, broadcast on BBC One and won by Sarina Wiegman’s players at Wembley, was watched by a peak TV audience of 17.4 million viewers. 
      The viewing figures made it the most watched women’s football match in the history of UK television and the most-viewed TV event of last year. 
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      And in December the FA revealed 23.3million people watched the final on TV or online. 
      Last summer’s Euros attracted record numbers of television viewersCredit: PA
      It is hoped England’s success at last year’s Euros will lead to high numbers of viewers of the World Cup in July and August with the Lionesses and the Republic of Ireland among the 32 sides competing. 
      Due to the time difference between the UK and the World Cup’s hosts Australia and New Zealand, England’s matches will be taking place when many viewers will be asleep or out at work. 
      However, with tournament timing coinciding with the school holidays, coverage of matches could see younger audiences engaged with rising interest in the game amongst girls as well as women. More