Aston Villa women's captain explains decision to wear 'wet-look' kit vs Man Utd

01 October 2023 , 16:23

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Alisha Lehmann of Aston Villa playing against Manchester United on Sunday (Image: Getty Images)

Aston Villa women's captain Rachel Corsie claimed they wanted to wear their controversial Castore home kit for their season opener against Manchester United at Villa Park.

Villa's men's and women's teams have expressed misgivings over the home strip, which seemingly retains an inordinate amount of sweat as games wear on to make for cumbersome movement and an overall wet look. Talks have been held over cancelling the multi-year contract between the club and kit supplier Castore.

The women's team reportedly expressed "dread" at the prospect of wearing the shirts in their opening against Man Utd on Sunday. But after the dramatic 2-1 defeat to Man Utd, Villa captain Corsie claimed that the players decided to wear the home strip despite the ongoing buzz within media and the fanbase.

Speaking after the match, Corsie said: "We wanted to wear the home shirt. It’s first game of the season so you want to be in your home kit."

Rachel Corsie in action against Manchester United

Pressed on if the club are working towards a resolution moving forwards, Corsie added: ‘It is being dealt with, yeah. The club have been really supportive.

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"Obviously there has been a lot of talk about that this week but when you get here and it’s the start of the season everyone is buzzing it’s under way now."

Manager Carla Ward said in her pre-match press conference that players were given the choice of donning the home or away kit from the club if the players' apprehension was too great.

"I think we have similar concerns as to what the men have. It was highlighted early in the pre-season from the men's side and backed up by the women. But as far as I am concerned, it's over to the club and Castore to deal with it, my focus has to be the weekend and making sure the players are focused on that.

"One thing I will say is the club has been absolutely superb in these last few days. There's been a constant communication of how can we help the players and make them feel better."

Rachel Daly of Aston Villa reacts during the Barclays Women's Super League match between Aston Villa and Manchester United (Photo by Nathan Stirk - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Villa fell to an agonising opening day defeat to United. A tightly contested affair was blown open less than 20 minutes from full-time after Kirsty Hanson was sent off for a challenge on Man Utd midfielder Hayley Ladd.

Lionesses striker Rachel Daly, an isolated figure in the first half but aided by the introduction of compatriot Ebony Salmon in the second half, fired Villa into a defiant lead two minutes after her teammate's sending off.

But the bedlam at Villa Park was short-lived after Man Utd swarmed the Villa box from a set-piece and Lucia Garcia drew the visitors back level with 10 minutes of regular time remaining.

Despite a resolute defence and an inspired debut from Daphne van Domselaar in the Villa goal, Man Utd found their winner through substitute Rachel Williams as the veteran striker headed home from a deflected Nikita Parris strike.

Megan Feringa