Women's Super League

Aston Villa boss Robert de Pauw has been speaking to the media before Friday's Women's Super League game against Chelsea (kick-off 19:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• The unbeaten pre-season campaign gives confidence, but De Pauw said it "isn't a guarantee" for success in the WSL.

• It has been a positive start in the "honeymoon phase", but De Pauw said: "Now the serious business will start".

• On the new signings, he said: "We brought in very dynamic players. I'm very eager to see what they can do in the league."

• De Pauw feels Villa's squad depth has been improved over the summer along with "the dynamic and the energy needed to progress".

• Deadline day signing Gabi Nunes is unavailable to face Chelsea, along with Georgia Mullett, Miri Taylor, Anna Leat and Jill Baijings.

• On facing the champions in the season opener, he said: "Chelsea will be nervous also. It's their post-Emma Hayes period so we expect some pressure there."

Image source, Getty Images

Defender Amy James-Turner has signed a new contract at Tottenham that will keep her at the club until 2026.

The 33-year-old has made 51 appearances for Spurs since joining from Orlando Pride in July 2022.

A former England international, James-Turner started in all but one of Tottenham's Women's Super League matches last season as the club finished sixth.

She scored her first WSL goal in February's 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa.

Robert Vilahamn's side open their WSL campaign against newly-promoted Crystal Palace on Sunday at 14:00 BST.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner said he "feels alive again" heading into the new Women's Super League campaign.

With the highs of winning the Women's FA Cup and the disappointment of a fifth-placed WSL finish last season, Skinner admitted he was "psychologically spent".

But he is filled with enthusiasm for the new campaign, which begins against West Ham at Old Trafford on Saturday.

"I can absolutely assure you I have more energy now than I have ever had," he said. "I am absolutely raring to go and I am driven. I feel alive again.

"I feel really energetic and I want that to transmit onto the team. I am getting my energy back. Let’s see what we can achieve this season."

While United lost key figures including Mary Earps, captain Katie Zelem and Nikita Parris in the summer transfer window, but Skinner is happy with the business done by the club

"I’m excited about the team we have," he said. "We still have work over the next two windows to be the final version, but I’m very happy where we sit now.

"Above all, we feel like we are together like we were in my first season. It feels like we are all pushing in the same direction."

Marc Skinner has been speaking to the media before Manchester United's Women's Super League season opener against West Ham on Saturday (kick-off 12:00 BST)

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He has seen a "fresh commitment, energy, adaptable skill and more physicality" from his squad in pre-season.

• United signed six new players over summer and Skinner said bringing in new faces has helped to "re-energise" the group.

• On the transfer window, Skinner said: "It was clear in order for us to fully break into those historical top three we have to go a different route, so we’ve gone down the young and hungry route that is highly talented."

• Other than Evie Rabjohn who continues her ACL recovery, "everyone should be up for selection".

• Skinner expects a tough test against a West Ham side with "individual brilliance".

• He thinks there will be "a lot more upsets this season" because the standard of teams across the WSL has improved.

Image source, Getty Images

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