Carla Ward is confident Aston Villa can kick on in the second half of the Women's Super League season after a disappointing start to the campaign.

Villa were tipped for big things in 2023-24 after an impressive fifth-place finish last season but have failed to match those levels so far.

Ward's side lost their first five games of the season and despite an upturn in form before the winter break, the Villans remain ninth in the WSL table.

They return to action against Everton on Saturday in the fourth round of the Women's FA Cup, a competition they reached the semi-finals of last term.

Villa boss Ward said: "We had a difficult start as everyone knows but then we finished the year strong which I think is really important.

"I think we have to start this year how we finished last year. That is something that we did last season in terms of doing well after the break.

"The girls have come back in wanting to kick on and I think they are ready mentally and physically.

"I think the break allowed people a moment to breathe and they will be ready for the weekend that is for sure."

Managing expectations

Villa's fifth-place finish last term was just their third season in the WSL after being promoted from the Championship in 2019-20, with ex-Birmingham boss Ward keen to acknowledge how far the Midlands club have come in a short space of time.

She added: "Last year we had an exceptional season and I don't think people realise how hard that is to replicate. 

"We have seen it over the years that it is very difficult to go again and do it again, particularly when you are as far behind in terms of resources compared to other clubs in the division.

"I think it is really important that we manage expectations within the group as well as on the outside. 

"The mentality of this group is so strong and everyone has stuck together and dug in together and we have got to kick on from that now."

Up for the cup

Ward is well aware of the importance of a cup run in lifting spirits, with only eventual champions Chelsea stopping them from a first ever FA Cup final appearance last term.

The 40-year-old said: "Last year the cup competitions were great for us with a quarter-final [in the Conti Cup] and a semi-final. 

"We want to replicate that. We gave the fans some unbelievable moments last year and some headaches with penalty shootouts. 

"We had an enjoyable cup run in both. I love the cup and I loved playing in the cup. 

"I certainly love managing in the cup so we want to kick on and use this as a platform to get going for sure.

"We have had some tough battles against Everton since Brian [Sorensen] came in and he has done a good job with them.

"But we are going out there to progress to the next round and nothing less."

Villa have been busy in the lead-up to the Everton clash after confirming the signing of defender Noelle Maritz from Arsenal, while Danielle Turner's stunner against Manchester City was named WSL Goal of the Month for December.