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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jack Lacey-Hatton

Which WSL games before Christmas will be taking place at Premier League grounds?

It was another weekend for big attendances in the Women's Super League with three teams returning to their stadiums that are usually occupied by Premier League fixtures.

Chelsea won 3-0 against Tottenham in front of a club-record crowd of 38, 300 as they returned to Stamford Bridge. The night before Arsenal hosted Manchester United at the Emirates, playing at one of the largest stadiums in the country for the second time this season, with just over 40,000 in attendance including around 1,500 in a dedicated away section.

Aston Villa were also back at Villa Park for the second time this season, as they eased past Reading thanks to Rachel Daly's hat-trick, meaning three of the 10 largest crowds of the season so far came from this weekend. With Sheffield United also breaking the Championship attendance record against London City Lionesses.

It lead to Chelsea manager Emma Hayes calling on the league to show "more ambition" and play in larger stadia on a more regular basis. With the Premier League in shutdown over the next few weeks due to the men's FIFA World Cup in Qatar, fans will have more chances to see their WSL heroes in larger stadia over the coming weeks.

Here are another four games ahead of the Christmas break that are set to take place at Premier League stadiums.

Manchester United v Aston Villa, Old Trafford, December 3

Fresh from what feels like a monumental win at the Emirates, United return to Old Trafford for the first time this season for their next WSL fixture. The Red Devils host high-flying Aston Villa in a 12:30 Saturday lunchtime kick-off in what should be a cracker.

United have only previously played in front of a crowd at Old Trafford on one previous occasion. That came last season when they defeated Everton 3-1 in front of 20,241.

Old Trafford hosted a WSL game last season when Manchester United defeated Everton (PA Wire)

Leicester City v Chelsea, King Power Stadium, December 3

Later that day, Leicester host defending champions Chelsea at the King Power Stadium. This of course is The Foxes regular home ground, except for when this is a fixture clash with the men's first team.

But the visit of Emma Hayes' Chelsea could bring about their biggest crowd of the season so far, particularly with the men's team on hiatus. New manager Willie Kirk will be hoping for a lift from the fans after losing his opening two games in charge, with Leicester desperate for their first points of the season.

Manchester City v Manchester United, Etihad Stadium, December 11

This mouth-watering Manchester derby could have a huge say in both sides' title ambitions. Fittingly the showpiece occasion will take place at the 53,400 seater, with kick-off set for 12.30pm.

City are yet to return to the men's regular haunt this season, having last played their back on the opening day of the curtailed 2019-20 season. That was also against United, City winning 1-0 thanks to a Caroline Weir goal in front of 31,213.

Club officials will be hopeful of increasing the size of that crowd this time around. This will be the third straight WSL game for United to be played inside a Premier League stadium.

Aston Villa v Arsenal, Villa Park, December 11

Like Midlands rivals Leicester, Aston Villa have become regulars at their men's ground. They will play host to Arsenal at Villa Park on December 11 in a 4:15pm kick-off, for their third visit of the season.

Considering they will have only played four times at Walsall's Bescott Stadium in all competitions by that point, the larger ground is now firmly the Villans second home. It is also a good luck charm with Villa having won both WSL outings there this season.

Can they make it a third straight win on Trinity Road against WSL title contenders Arsenal?

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