Carla Ward admits Aston Villa have their work cut out against Arsenal tonight but is confident her side will give their all to reach the Conti Cup final.

Villa head to Meadow Park knowing the Gunners are on a high after registering back-to-back victories over Manchester United and Tottenham in the Women's Super League.

Jonas Eidevall's team beat Chelsea to win the Conti Cup last season and the defending champs will be in no mood to let their grip on the trophy slip.

But Ward, 40, is determined to cause an upset tonight. She said: "We'll be ready. It's a semi-final and something we've got to look forward to.

"We've got to go and give everything."

The Villans have failed to scale the heights they hit last season and currently sit eighth in the WSL on 16 points, while their FA Cup hopes were dashed by a 3-0 home drubbing at the hands of Everton in January.

Ward's squad is feeling the strain but this evening's game offers the chance to secure the club's first cup final appearance.

The Villa boss added: "We've got a very thin squad. We've got players that are cup-tied and Adriana [Leon] is away [on international duty].

"Two players that started at the weekend are also major doubts. Of course, that is a problem but this group will find a way.

"I've not reached a major final yet. The women's side have never reached a major final — it would be absolutely huge.

"We'll do everything we can but we know it's going to be a tough ask.

"We're going up against, in my opinion, one of the best squads in the country and we're certainly thin on the ground.

"It's going to be a massive, gigantic effort to get there."