Olli Harder is looking forward to being back in the dugout on Sunday afternoon, as his West Ham United side make the trip north to face Aston Villa in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.
The manager was absent from the 4-1 win over Sheffield United in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup last weekend due to contracting Covid-19, and is looking forward to leading the team once again.
“I’m feeling much better,” Harder told whufc.com. “It’s been a frustrating period, but I’m really happy that I’ll be able to be back on the bench on Sunday for what will be a tough match against Aston Villa.
“I’ve have to thank the staff behind-the-scenes that have been working hard whilst I’ve been isolating to prepare the team for this fixture – they have been superb."
The Hammers have been hard at work out on the training pitch this week in preparation for the match at the Banks’s Stadium, and Harder has been able to watch sessions back and discuss with his coaching team on a daily basis whilst in isolation.
“I’ve been able to watch all of training this week, as well as obviously looking back over the win against Sheffield United.
“I’ve had discussions with staff on a daily basis, so although I haven’t physically been able to be at the training ground, I haven’t missed out on anything that would hinder our preparation.
Aston Villa are five points behind West Ham United going into the game on Sunday, with the Hammers looking to secure a win that would see them move closer to the top four.
“Aston Villa are a well organised and hardworking side; we saw that at the very beginning of the season when we drew with them at home, and we are expecting the same again,” Harder explained.
“They have a never say die attitude and are going to be fighting with us for every ball and every blade of grass.
“We’re not going to change the way we approach the game, we will be going into this one with an appetite to affect the game in a positive manner and to play to win the game.
“We’re in a really good position at the moment as a club, and two good results before the international break would leave us in an even better position,” he concluded.
You can watch West Ham United in action against Aston Villa at the Banks’s Stadium on Sunday 6 February 2022.
The game is being broadcast live on the FA Player, with kick-off scheduled for 6pm.