Despite everything that is – or isn’t – happening off the pitch, Watford Ladies are still part of the Women’s Super League 2 and have a game against bottom side Aston Villa to prepare for on Sunday.

The squad was hit hard by the news that they will not be competing in either of the top two tiers of the restructured women’s football set up from next season, but Keith Boanas will want to make sure his players make a statement and come away from the Midlands with all three points.

Recent injuries to the likes of Ellie Sargeant have been overcome, Helen Ward has been increasing her game time over the past two weeks and both will provide a timely boost for an otherwise fully fit squad.

The win over Millwall in the Continental Cup was followed up with a good point at home to a strong Tottenham team in the league.

Although the Hornets were disappointed to have let the lead slip in the 1-1 draw, it was a positive to open their account and move off the foot of the table.

Another midweek fixture saw the Golden Girls take on high-flying Reading and, although the 4-0 defeat sounds resounding, there were plenty of positives to take as chances were created against a team littered with internationals.

The game against Villa provides the team with an opportunity to put things right and chalk up their first win of the season.

Villa have had their own troubles with a change in manager and a young squad and have so far been beaten in all of the four games they’ve played in WSL 2.

They have only scored once all season in the league but in their last outing, a Continental Cup match, they drew 2-2 with Sheffield Ladies before leaving with a bonus point after a successful penalty shoot-out.

That result will no doubt boost confidence and they are sure to see a home game against Watford as an ideal opportunity to kick-start their own season.

With the application deadline for clubs to enter into the FA’s new structure passing today, by the time this weekend’s fixtures have been played all clubs will have a better idea as to who will be where come September 2018.