Relegation-threatened Reading Women will attempt to end a five-game winless run in the Women's Super League when they welcome Aston Villa Women to the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Sunday.

Aston Villa, who occupy fifth position in the WSL table, will also be determined to claim all three points after failing to win any of their last four matches in all competitions.

Match preview

Reading fell to a heavy 4-1 defeat in their away meeting with Manchester City last Sunday despite taking the lead in the first minute.

Sanne Troelsgaard saw her opener cancelled out by Chloe Kelly, before Khadija Shaw, Lauren Hemp and Steph Houghton all found the net to condemn the Royals to a third consecutive defeat.

With three games left to play, Reading find themselves in the one and only relegation spot with two points separating them from safety.

There are also at a disadvantage as two of their relegation rivals, Leicester and Brighton, have a game in hand over the Royals.

Next week's meeting against a Tottenham side that are currently three points above them could be crucial, but first, Reading will be hoping to claim ther first win since March 5 in Sunday's home meeting with Aston Villa.

Aston Villa will have to pick themselves up from a disappointing defeat to title-chasing Man United, losing 3-2 at home despite taking the lead on two occasions.

Rachel Daly saw her opener cancelled out by Leah Galton, but Daly grabbed her second goal of the game in the 37th minute to give the Villans a slender advantage at half time.

The contest looked to be heading towards a draw after Nikita Parris equalised just after the hour mark, but a 93rd-minute winner from Millie Turner ensured that Aston Villa fell to their third defeat in four competitive matches.

They have at least managed to avoid defeat in their last five away league games, and they now have the chance to go six away games without losing for the first time in the WSL.

Aston Villa will also be looking to complete the league double over Reading after Daly scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture to guide her side to a 3-1 win.

Team News

Reading are unable to call upon Jackie Burns, who is ruled out for the season, while Deanne Rose is also unavailable as she continues her recovery from a long-term injury.

Despite conceding four goals last weekend, Reading boss Kelly Chambers is expected to keep faith with her central defensive pairing of Easther Mayi Kith and Diane Caldwell.

After featuring as a second-half substitute against Manchester City, Jade Moore could be brought into the starting lineup.

As for Aston Villa, they are still without the services of Meaghan Sargeant, Emily Gielnik, Natasha Harding and Freya Gregory.

Rachel Corsie is progressing well in her recovery from injury, but she remains unavailable for Sunday's encounter.

Carla Ward has confirmed that Remi Allen and Simone Magill are set to return to the matchday squad after recovering from anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Reading Women possible starting lineup:
Maloney; Eikeland, Mayi Kith, Caldwell, Mukandi; Harries, Vanhaevermaet, Moore, Wellings; Troelsgaard, Rowe

Aston Villa Women possible starting lineup:
Hampton; Mayling, Patten, Turner, Pacheco; Dali, Staniforth, Nobbs; Lehmann, Blindkilde, Daly

We say: Reading Women 1-2 Aston Villa Women

Reading will be hoping to pick up a positive result to boost their survival chances, but after losing four of their last five league games, we think that they will be edged out by an Aston Villa side who are unbeaten in five away league matches.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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