READING FC WOMEN must pick up points in their final three games of the season to secure their Women’s Super League status, starting with a home match against Aston Villa.
The Royals currently occupy bottom spot in the WSL after Leicester City pulled themselves out of 12th position with an impressive 4-0 win over Liverpool.
Kelly Chambers’ side were beaten 4-1 by title chasing Manchester City which means they are two points behind Brighton and Leicester, both of whom have a game in hand.
Reading have only managed to total 11 points from 19 games and are winless in the league since March.
Sunday’s opponents have enjoyed a strong campaign and are in fifth position having won nine of their 19 league fixtures.
Lionesses star Rachel Daly who helped England to win the Euros last summer playing at left-back has been a revelation for Villa since signing at the start of the season.
Daly has been a versatile option for her coaches throughout her career slotting in at full-back for her country, however her natural position has primarily been up front where she has starred for Villa this campaign.
Since making the move from Houston Dash to return to England, Daly has been in superb scoring form and has netted 17 times in 19 games which puts her second in the list of top scores in the division.
Her outstanding scoring form has helped push Villa up the table into the top five having finished in ninth position in the 2021/22 campaign.
Villa suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Manchester United in their last fixture as the Red Devils cemented their place at the top of the table.
Villa had led 2-1 thanks to a Daly double, but United came fighting back with an equaliser from Nikita Parris before Mille Turner ensured the visitors snatched the points with a 3-2 win with a 93rd minute winner.
When the team’s met in November, it was the Villans who collected all three points thanks to another inspiring performance from Daly.
The Royals had taken an early lead through Lauren Wade, but Daly had her shooting boots well and firmly on and she struck a hat-trick to give Villa a commanding lead.
Reading were also reduced to 10 players when goalkeeper Jackie Burns was dismissed in the 65th minute.
