Aston Villa Women produced one of the performances of the opening WSL weekend at Chelsea.
Their next challenge may be even more difficult.
Manchester City arrive at Villa Park on Sunday with Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw already among the goals after scoring twice in their 3-1 opening-day victory over Birmingham City.
For Natalia Arroyo’s side, containing the reigning WSL Golden Boot winner could be the defining battle.
Bunny Shaw arrives at Aston Villa in dangerous form
Shaw’s opening-weekend brace continued an extraordinary run of goals.
The Manchester City striker finished 2025/26 with 21 goals in 22 WSL appearances, securing the Golden Boot for a record third successive season.
City’s official review of Shaw’s campaign shows the scale of the challenge facing Villa.
All 21 of her league goals last season came from inside the penalty area.
She also won 152 duels, more than any other WSL player, and registered 26 ball recoveries in the final third.
That combination makes Shaw much more than a penalty-box finisher.
Villa’s centre-backs will have to deal with her physical presence, movement and pressing throughout Sunday’s game.
Our Aston Villa Women predicted XI against Manchester City looks at the defensive decisions Arroyo faces before kick-off.
Aston Villa know exactly what Shaw can do
There is another reason Villa should be particularly wary.
Shaw scored four times against Aston Villa in December 2025 during City’s 6-1 WSL victory.
The first of those goals also took her to 100 goals for Manchester City.
Her final league tally helped City win the WSL title, while Shaw was subsequently named PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year.
She has since signed a new contract keeping her at City until 2030.
That makes Sunday’s fixture another major test of how far Villa have progressed under Arroyo.
Their opening 1-1 draw away to Chelsea provided plenty of encouragement.
Villa defended with discipline against the champions and Akane Okuma produced an outstanding performance in goal.
They may need similar resistance at Villa Park.
Villa must stop the supply into Shaw
Simply marking Shaw inside the penalty area will not be enough.
City possess creators capable of continually feeding their centre-forward, while Grace Clinton could also return after missing the opening weekend.
We covered Manchester City’s latest team news ahead of the Villa game, with Andrée Jeglertz hopeful the England midfielder will be available.
Villa therefore need to prevent City’s midfielders and wide players from supplying Shaw consistently.
Allow her regular touches inside the penalty area and history suggests the punishment can be severe.
There is at least evidence that City can be contained.
Villa held them to a goalless draw at Villa Park during the previous campaign.
Repeating that defensive performance against a striker who has started another season with two goals would be a major statement.
Sunday’s Aston Villa Women vs Manchester City fixture kicks off at 6.30pm BST and will be shown live on Sky Sports.
For Villa, the first priority is obvious.
Keep Shaw away from goal.
