The draw for the Conti cup took place this week after they had to be delayed after Aston Villa fielded an illegible player Noelle Martiz who had already played in the group stages for her former club Arsenal. After some controversial decisions by the FA which meant that Manchester United where now out of the cup having been unable to be one of the best 2nd place teams, after Sunderland was award the points from their game against Villa. This is also the second year in a row that Manchester United fail to make it out of the group stages after they left the competition at the Semi finals losing to Chelsea who went on to lose to Manchester city after a spectacular performance by Caroline Weir. Looking ahead I will also place my predictions as to who makes it through to the quarter finals.
The first fixture means that Villa will travel to Brighton Hove & Albion. Brighton booked their place in the quarter finals after not only topping group E but winning all of their games which left them with 9 points. In last years the 22/23 season’s Conti cup Brighton failed to make it to the quarter finals so they are hoping to better their performance. Aston Villa booked their place in the quarter final after getting 3 points removed and finishing as one of the best 2nd place teams after having a better goal difference than Manchester United. In last year’s Conti cup they made it to the semi finals where they lost to the eventual winners Arsenal, they are also hoping to better their performance.This game will be played on Wednesday 7th February at 7pm GMT.
We also have a London derby as Arsenal face London City Lionesses. In the most recent years London City Lionesses have failed to make it out of the group stages, so with them being in the quarter final this is a huge achievement for the club. They are looking to continue their amazing run in the competition. The champions Arsenal booked their place after topping their group even after drawing against Tottenham Hotspur and having to take them to penalties to again the 2 points. They are looking to continue their run in the competition and become back to back champions. This game will be played on Wednesday 7th February at 7pm GMT.
Chelsea have entered the competition in the quarter finals due to their success of being the only English team left in the champions league they play the championship team Sunderland who topped their group after Aston Villa was deduced points. The Blues are looking to continue their success in the competition after making the last two years finals but eventually losing to Manchester City and Arsenal. With their manager Emma Hayes leaving the club at the end of the season the blues are also looking to send her off with a Bang. Sunderland have not made it out of the group stages for the past two years, so they are looking to make history for their club. The black cats booked their place as they topped the group after being allocated the points after Villa played an illegible player. This game will be played on Wednesday 7th February at 7pm GMT.
Tottenham Hotspur take on the former champions Manchester City who won the cup in the 21/22 season. Tottenham Hotspur after making the quarter finals in the last season are looking to better their performance. They where the other 2nd best team alongside Aston Villa, one notable performance was when they took Arsenal to penalties as they battle for the points. Manchester City booked their place in the quatre finals after topping their group. They look to continue on from last years performance where they lost in the semi finals to the eventual winners Arsenal. This game will be played on Wednesday 7th February at 7:30pm GMT.
My Predictions of who will make it to the quarter finals:
Aston Villa
Arsenal
Chelsea
Tottenham Hotspur
