Crystal Palace √
sun 16 mar 2025 | 2:00pm kick-off
aston villa
it’s matchday
A warm welcome to the VBS Community Stadium, as we face Aston Villa in Sutton, kicking off at 14:00 GMT!
The Eagles fell to a narrow defeat against Liverpool last time out, but will be fighting to record a first home Women’s Super League win when we host Aston Villa in South London today.
Every voice will be important in making that happen today, so make sure you get down to Sutton to support the team and – for those arriving early – to make the most of our Fanzone, situated just beyond the Collingwood Road Stand at the far side of the stadium.
Opening an hour before kick-off, the Fanzone will feature photo opportunities with Phoenix the Eagle, as well as the chance to meet Pete and Alice, and lots more fun, games, activities, refreshments and music – the perfect way for the whole family to warm-up ahead of kick-off!
Then, as the action draws near, get behind the team – and be loud, be proud… be Palace!
leif smerud
Good afternoon Palace fans, and welcome to today’s game against Aston Villa. It’s a pleasure to be here at our home ground, and I want to extend a warm welcome to Natalia Arroyo, her staff, and the Villa players.
this is only my second home match as Crystal Palace manager, and I’m excited to share this moment with you, the supporters. Since arriving at the club, I’ve been struck by the passion and commitment of everyone involved – from the players to the backroom staff and, of course, the fans. There is a real sense of community here, and that’s something I want to build on as we move forward together.
Taking on this challenge at Palace is something I’m relishing. We all know the immediate priority: staying in the WSL. But my ambition for this club doesn’t stop there. Yes, survival is key, but I also want to build something meaningful: a team with an identity, a clear style of play, and a culture of continuous development.
From the moment I arrived, I’ve spoken to the players about bravery – not just in their performances but in their mentality. We cannot play with fear. We have to fight. I’ve seen that belief already in training and today is another opportunity to put it into action.
Every manager has their own philosophy, and for me, football is about
two key things: teamwork and intensity. I believe the best teams find the right balance between individual talent and collective responsibility. One of the biggest paradoxes in football is bringing the individual and the team together in a way that makes both stronger.
I want us to be a team that hunts – the ball, the goals, and constant improvement. That means pressing with energy, being aggressive in duels, and showing intelligence in how we manage the game. But bravery doesn’t mean recklessness. We have to be smart in how we apply ourselves, taking calculated risks and making sure we stay organised.
We are still in the early days of this journey, but I have seen encouraging signs already. The players are eager to learn, and their commitment has been excellent. We will need that hunger in every game between now and the end of the season.
Today, we face a well-organised Aston Villa side with a lot of quality. We know the challenge they will bring, but we also know what we are capable of. This league is one of the most competitive in the world, and
small details can make a big difference. That’s why our focus has to be on the things we can control: our intensity, our discipline, and our willingness to fight for each other.
I understand that this season has been tough, but I want to shift our mindset. Rather than thinking about surviving, we should be thinking about fighting. There is a big difference between the two. Survival is about avoiding something; fighting is about taking control of your destiny. That is the approach I want to see from my team.
While our immediate focus is on climbing the table, I also want to look beyond this season. This club has the potential to grow, and I want to be part of that journey. We need to set a standard, not just for now, but for the future. That starts with a strong foundation, both on and off the pitch.
Football isn’t just about tactics; it’s about people. It’s about the connection between the players, the fans, and the wider community. That’s something I have always valued in my career, and I see it here at Palace. We need to harness that energy and make our home a place where teams fear coming to play.
I want to thank you, the supporters, for the welcome you have given me. Your backing makes a huge difference, and we will need you behind us every step of the way. This is not just my team – it’s your team. Together, we will fight for every point, and together, we will build something for the future.
Enjoy the game, and let’s give it everything.
Leif
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aimee everett
Hello Palace fans, and welcome back to the VBS Community Stadium! It’s always special to play in front of you, and your support means everything to us as we take on Aston Villa in a massive Barclays Women’s Super League fixture.
although it was frustrating to once again be watching from the sidelines through injury, I was really proud of how the team played against Chelsea last weekend in the FA Cup.
Against one of the best teams in the world and with multiple players out of position, we pushed them all the way on their own turf. Few teams to face them at Kingsmeadow or Stamford Bridge this season can say that.
Every one of the girls put in an excellent defensive shift. I think that showed how our team spirit and willingness to fight for each other, even when our backs are against the wall, remains strong.
Even though we were obviously all disappointed to exit the competition, reaching the quarter-finals was a big moment for us and a good achievement that we can look to build upon next season.
Looking ahead to this afternoon’s match, we all know how important it is to get a positive result against the team directly above us in the table. Aston Villa’s position shows just how competitive the WSL is this season.
They have a squad full of international experience and finished fifth only two seasons ago. Like us, I think they’ve been unlucky in a few close games and would have expected to have a few more points on the board, based on their performances.
We know today will be a tough assignment. But I think recent performances have shown we are more than capable of getting a result. We are determined to get a positive outcome, not only to get points on the board, but also reward your fantastic support over recent games.
Regardless of the opponent or the weather, you have backed us superbly and it has really given everyone in our team a massive lift. Playing in front of you at the VBS Community Stadium gives us an extra edge and hopefully we can use that today to push us onto a big performance today.
Thank you for your incredible support. I’ll be cheering the team on from the sidelines, and I know they’ll leave it all on the pitch. Let’s make it a memorable one.
Aimee
Regardless of the opponent or the weather, you have backed us superbly and it has really given everyone in our team a massive lift. Playing in front of you at the VBS Community Stadium gives us an extra edge and hopefully we can use that today to push us onto a big performance today
last time out
Despite a battling display, Palace’s journey in the Women’s FA Cup came to an end with a hard-fought 1-0 defeat to Chelsea.
manager Leif Smerud made three changes from his first game in charge last weekend, with Fliss Gibbons, Chloë Arthur and Molly Sharpe all coming into the starting line-up.
Chelsea controlled possession throughout but Palace held firm in the first-half with an organised defence, making crucial blocks when needed.
England international Aggie Beever-Jones had an excellent chance with 20 minutes on the clock, but Shae Yañez made a stunning save to keep the tie goalless.
Minutes later the Chelsea forward thought she had put the hosts ahead but the flag was raised for offside in the build-up.
The Blues had bombarded Palace’s defence with efforts at goal, but bar one excellent stop Yañez wasn’t seriously tested.
Chelsea continued to press the Eagles back after half-time.
But Palace showed drive and purpose throughout, and against the run of play, Lily Woodham played an almost-perfect through pass
towards Clarissa Larisey, which was snatched up at the forward’s feet by Blues’ keeper Hannah Hampton.
Just as it looked like extra-time might be a real possibility, Chelsea struck in the 64 th minute. Lauren James provided the breakthrough, finding the bottom-left corner pf the goal with a volley after Palace half-cleared a corner.
The hosts could have finished the tie comfortably, but Yañez again
pulled off an excellent save to deny Macario from close range.
Palace looked to find an equaliser at the death from a corner, but Sharpe couldn’t force her header goalbound and could only watch as it went out for a goal kick.
It wasn’t to be for the Eagles as one final chance from a free-kick was saved by Hampton, and Palace exited the FA Cup after reaching the last eight for the first time in club history.
chelsea √ palace
leif smerud
“I think we played with our hearts on our sleeve. I think we’re in a quite difficult situation, challenging when it comes to injuries, and everyone who got the chance today, even out of position, even without having much training in the rucksack, they gave everything.
“We played a really good team and to give it and make it a real fight, that was good to see and it makes me proud – and it makes me believe in what’s going to happen next.
“I think I learned a lot today about the fight in the team. We got to work on our shape – we had to do a lot of defensive work today and we were good in many of the phases.
“We need to improve in a few areas, we need to get people compact and ready to go again, and hopefully some more can also join in, and then we can look forward to a very interesting game next Sunday against Aston Villa.”
aston villa
NEW BOSS AT VILLA PARK
Aston Villa have changed manager twice in the last year, with former Real Sociedad boss Natalia Arroyo taking the reins in January. Carla Ward departed at the end of the 2023/24 season, after a seventhplace finish last term, and was replaced by Dutchman Robert de Pauw. He barely lasted the first half of the season, leaving the club before Christmas after 11 games in charge in all competitions.
Arroyo achieved qualification for the Women’s Champions League as well as an appearance in the Copa de la Reina final during in her time at Sociedad.
DALY THE LEADING LIGHT
Compared with the previous two seasons, this year has been a struggle for Villa, but one constant has remained in the Midlands: Rachel Daly scoring goals. One of the heroes from the Lionesses’
the villans 1973
successful Euros squad, Daly has netted 35 WSL goals for the club since joining in 2022.
HOME WHERE THE HEART IS
After previously splitting home fixtures between the Bescot Stadium in Walsall and Villa Park since their promotion to the WSL, Villa announced ahead of the 2024/25 season that all games would be played at their main stadium, Villa Park.
INTERNATIONALS OVER THE BORDER
Villa’s Jordan Nobbs, Katie Robinson and Lucy Staniforth are all England senior team internationals, with Nobbs capped 71 times. From the Scottish side, Rachel Corsie and Kirsty Hanson bring a wealth of experience. Corsie captained her country at the 2019 World Cup and has 154 caps.
aston villa
Gabi Nunes was recruited for a club record fee when she became Villa’s major summer signing last year. The Brazil international joined from Levante on a two-year deal, with the option of a further year, after Villa triggered a release clause of 300,000 euros (£250,000). She has already looked a class act and was part of the Brazil squad at last summer’s Olympic Games.
“We came here with a dream of taking something and of being in the semi-finals. In different moments in the game we felt we were close to them.”
Natalia Arroyo
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Crystal palace f.c. aston villa f.c.
Katrine VEJE
Fliss GIBBONS
Chloe ARTHUR My CATO
Aimee EVERETT
Molly SHARPE
Elise HUGHES
Annabel BLANCHARD
Ashleigh WEERDEN
Josie GREEN
Hayley NOLAN
Ria ÖLING
Lexi POTTER
Milla-Maj MAJASAARI (GK)
Indiah-Paige RILEY
Clarissa LARISEY
Mille GEJL
Lily WOODHAM
Shanade HOPCROFT
Aniek NOUWEN
Abbie LARKIN
Katie STENGEL
Allyson SWABY
Shae YAÑEZ (GK) Annis-Clara
(GK)
For Ticketing, reaction and highlights download the Official Palace
Sabrina D’ANGELO (GK)
Sarah MAYLING
Paula TOMÁS
Anna PATTEN
Lucy STANIFORTH
Rachel CORSIE
Missy BO KEARNS
Jordan NOBBS
Rachel DALY
Katie ROBINSON
Danielle TURNER
Lucy PARKER
Noelle MARITZ
Ebony SALMON
Kirsty HANSON
Jill BAIJINGS
Chasity GRANT
Miri TAYLOR
Gabi NUNES
(GK)
S. Fullicks
N. Bria
I. Chaplin
K. Dowie