Chelsea host Aston Villa in the opening game of the 2024/25 Women’s Super League season, with both sides under new management at the start of the campaign.

Defending champions Chelsea were left with an enormous void to fill over the summer after Emma Hayes took her expertise to the United States national team. However, they have snapped up a replacement with impressive credentials as a player and manager in former Lyon coach Sonia Bompastor.

The early signs are positive as the Blues chase a sixth consecutive WSL title, with Bompastor securing wins over Gotham FC, Arsenal and Feyenoord during pre-season. Their most recent outing with their Dutch opponents saw them score nine unanswered goals, with young Aggie Beever-Jones netting a 17-minute hat-trick.

Chelsea’s first test of their title credentials under Bompastor comes in Friday’s opening WSL encounter at home to Aston Villa. Robert de Pauw has taken charge of the Midlands club following the departure of Carla Ward and the Dutchman will be aiming to improve upon last season’s seventh-placed finish.

Here is 90min’s guide to Chelsea vs Aston Villa this Friday.

Chelsea vs Aston Villa H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

Chelsea suffered a devastating blow in their pre-season thrashing of Feyenoord, with Sophie Ingle the latest player to be struck down by an ACL injury. She joins Sam Kerr, Erin Cuthbert, Catarina Macario, Mia Fishel and Aniek Nouwen in the treatment room.

The Blues could hand debuts to a number of their summer signings on Friday, including Lucy Bronze and Sandy Baltimore. Elsewhere, Oriane Jean-Francois will be hopeful of making her first competitive appearance for the reigning WSL champions.

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Musovic; Bronze, Bright, Buchanan, Charles; Nusken, Kaptein; Kaneryd, James, Baltimore; Ramirez.

Gabi Nunes was a clever addition for Villa and she signed for £250,000 on transfer deadline day from Liga F. She will undoubtedly feature against Chelsea in some capacity but it may be to soon for her to start.

Rachel Daly will be fresh for the 2024/25 season and has been joined in the Villa squad by exciting new signings Missy Bo Kearns of Liverpool, Katie Robinson of Brighton and defender Paula Tomas from Levante UD.

Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): D’Angelo; Mayling, Corsie, Turner, Tomas; Staniforth, Nobbs; Leon, Dali, Hanson; Daly.

On paper, Chelsea will be favourites for all their home games this season, especially against mid-table opposition like Villa. However, De Pauw’s side have impressed during pre-season, making some smart signings and winning all five of their friendlies – including a recent victory over Manchester City.

Despite Villa’s encouraging form, Chelsea are still the WSL’s top dogs and should secure victory this Friday. While the Bompastor reign may have a few bumps in the road, the opening WSL game of the season is unlikely to be one of them.

Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Aston Villa

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