Ward hails "relentless" Aston Villa after historic FA Cup upset vs Man City
Aston Villa boss Carla Ward believes her team keep proving people wrong after they stunned Man City in extra-time to reach the last four of the Women's FA Cup.
Rachel Daly struck an extra-time winner to dump one of the tournament favourites out. Deyna Castellanos had earlier brought City level after Villa skipper Rachel Corsie gave the hosts the lead, but Daly then had the final say.
It was perhaps the result of the season so far for Villa, although they had already beaten City 4-3 on the opening day of the WSL and currently sit fifth in the table. And manager Ward said after the dramatic win that she was delighted to see her team continue to upset the established elite, as a memorable campaign continues.
"This group are putting bodies on the line for each other," Ward told the clubs official media. "And they're doing everything they can to get results. This group just continues to achieve and prove people wrong.
"The relentless nature of the attitudes throughout the team was unbelievable. Everybody played their part and you know what we deserve to be in the semi-finals after that performance.
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"We speak about raising levels, which might sound crazy considering where we are, but they continue to ask more from each other. That performance tonight sums up this group of players. It's a collective effort and I'm proud of each and everyone of them, I really am."
Rachel Daly celebrates after scoringIn an absorbing quarter-final, it looked as if Villa had missed their chance to win it when Corsie blew an easy late chance in the dying minutes of normal time, for what would have been her second of the game. But Daly tapped home a close-range winner to spark jubilation from Villa coaches and supporters.
It continues a memorable season for the Villans who sit clear in fifth in the WSL and now have an FA Cup semi-final to look towards next month.
"This is the most important win (of the season) they had large spells and we had to be really patient," added Ward. "It's been a great season but it's not over. We want to make the semi-final into a final and have ambitions to hold onto fifth.
"I've given them two days off and that probably got the biggest cheer of the night, which they deserve first and foremost, but then it's about getting back to work and doing a professional job on Sunday."
Ward also took time to praise the Villa support. The midlands club have alternated between playing at Walsall and Villa Park this season, and although this tie was played at the former, the atmosphere was excellent throughout.
"The fans have been nothing short of outstanding," she said. "The numbers here today was great. You heard them behind the goal for 120 minutes so we massively thank them for that."
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