Aston Villa captain Rachel Corsie has urged her team to make the most of their momentum ahead of what promises to be thrilling end to the season.
Also captain of Scotland, Corsie is out of their two internationals next week with a knee issue and faces a race to be fit for the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea. But her performances have helped Villa to a breakthrough season in the WSL, with Carla Ward’s team firmly establishing themselves as the ‘best of the rest’ behind the top four title contenders, with a game against Chelsea in the league coming this Sunday, which Corsie will sit out.
The Midlands club sit only six points behind Arsenal in fourth and dumped Man City out of the FA Cup in the last round, thanks to a Rachel Daly winner. Corsie has proven a key signing since joining in February 2022 and believes Villa can continue to push the established elite for the rest of the season, with the league set for a thrilling climax.
“I think this season, the WSL is the most competitive it’s ever been,” Corsie exclusively told Mirror Football. “Naturally the top four stand out, they’ve had consistency and success for a sustained period. So we respect those teams.
“But we do feel within our group we have real quality and that result against Man City (In the FA Cup quarter-final) was validating. It is something we’ll use in this final stretch of the season, where there will be pressure on every game.
“We’ll try and use that as a reassurance that we know how to find a way to win. We are always having conversations about how can we continually improve ourselves and close that gap (to the top sides).
“Our mix of experienced players and some raw, hungry younger players have given us a great balance this season. Now we’ve got a bit of momentum it’s just about how we can make the most of it."
That momentum has seen Villa remain unbeaten against Man City in three games this season and gain a crucial away victory at Everton to put themselves in pole position to finish fifth. There is already early talk that a squad featuring Corsie, Rachel Daly and Kenza Dali could threaten the European places next season.
"Villa have a strategy where they want sustainable growth," added Corsie. "It can be difficult if you try and run before you can walk, that isn't what this club is about. And that is something that I really enjoy. I’ve played in a lot of different teams around the world and with a lot of top players and different environments.
"When you build something where players feel you have an element of stability and forward growth, I think it is really uplifting. We feel we have players with a lot of experience, who enjoy the pressure of the big games.
"We've really enjoyed the success that has brought and now everyone wants to keep pushing into next season."
Corsie's impressive form throughout the season is even more remarkable considering that she suffered a major professional setback in October. The Scotland skipper was part of the team beaten 1-0 by Ireland at Hampden Park in their World Cup play-off.
In addition. the Scottish women's team in December launched legal action against the Scottish FA after talks over equal pay and conditions broke down, proceedings Corsie is currently yet to comment on. But despite the crushing blow of knowing she won't be heading to Australia and New Zealand, Corsie believes that, on the pitch, the team has a bright future.
"That defeat, when we fell short against Ireland, was one the toughest experiences of my career," said Corsie. "I say that because it was one of the best national teams I have been a part of.
“In the last 18 months we’ve done a lot of building and growth. Ultimately we fell short of the World Cup and it was painful. It still is when you talk about it and know the World Cup is getting closer.
“But I do hope as a group we galvanise. We’ve got some great younger players coming through and there will be an opportunity for Scotland to get back to major tournaments. I was at 2017 (Euros) and 2019 (World Cup) so obviously that makes it harder not going to this one. But we’ve got a fantastic group and we’ve got a real desire to get back to major tournaments."
Corsie is contracted until the end of next season at Villa, by which time she will be 34. But the strong centre back isn't looking too far ahead and is yet to decide whether she wants to finish her playing career back home, having started her senior career at Aberdeen and then moving to Glasgow City.
“I’ve learned through my career that the right decision comes at the right time," she added. "That played a part in me initially ending up at Villa and getting back to the WSL. It came about sooner than I thought it would, as I really enjoyed my time in the US.
“The focus for me in the next 12 months will just be about keeping to the best level. The WSL is always growing so for me that is the best environment for me to be in, with a team that has really great ambitions.
“For me I’m just really excited I’ve got a year left at Villa, beyond that I’m not sure. And it’s going to be a great 15 months, I hope we can achieve a lot in that time."
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