Women’s FA Cup 2023 semi-final: Preview, schedule, and how to watch live English football action

With the women’s football international break now drawn to a close, attention returns to the domestic leagues – and for four English clubs in particular, the chance at their first piece of silverware for the season edges closer with the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Holders Chelsea will have to overcome a tough Aston Villa side if they are to retain their crown, while either Manchester United or Brighton could be on the brink of being first-time winners, should they make it to the Wembley showpiece.

For at least one team, though, making the final will be a historic day for their club, with just one of the final four making it there previously.

Ahead of a potentially season-defining weekend for these clubs, here are the key things to know about the upcoming semi-finals.

Women’s FA Cup 2023 semi-final: Preview and players to watch

Chelsea are arguably the favourites going into the semi-finals, having won the FA Cup four times in the past – including being crowned champions in the last two years.

Having already missed out on their first chance of lifting a trophy in the current campaign, when London rivals Arsenal pipped them to the Conti Cup title, the FA Cup will pose their next chance to add to their growing list of honours.

Emma Hayes’s side may be without their defensive stalwart at the back in Millie Bright, but their plethora of talent going forward could be the key difference with the likes of Sam Kerr, Guro Reiten, and Lauren James all in high-flying form.

But they will have to overcome a tough trip north to the Bescot Stadium to face an Aston Villa side who have been progressing well under the guidance of Carla Ward.

Additions to their midfield in the form of Jordan Nobbs and Lucy Staniforth have spurred on some impressive results, helped by free-scoring Rachel Day; the English striker is currently second only to Khadija Shaw in the race for the WSL golden boot.

The Villans may have lost to Chelsea in their final game before the international break, but with plenty of lessons to take from that game, their approach to Sunday’s semi-final could be the one that sees them come away with a victory this time round.

The second semi-final is made up of Manchester United and Brighton, two sides who similarly met prior to the international window. The Seagulls were the hosts on that occasion, with the Reds running out 4-0 winners, but this time they’ll be making the long trip up north to face United at Leigh Sports Village.

Marc Skinner’s United side has shown an air of ruthlessness this season and is currently the highest-scoring side in the WSL, netting 46 times, with the likes of Leah Galton and Alessia Russo leading the way.

Perhaps more importantly, though, it is their form at the back, that has been the catalyst for impressive results, conceding just 9 and registering an impressive 11 cleansheets in 17 league games.

For a relegation-threatened Brighton side, this is the ultimate test should they wish to progress to the final. Not only is it a difficult ask to pick up points at the formidable LSV, but they will need to possess the mental fortitude to overcome a side that has already beaten them twice in a convincing fashion in the current campaign.

They do, however, finally have a full-time manager appointed in the form of Melissa Phillips and, though bottom of the WSL table, the ‘magic of the FA Cup’ could see things finally fall in their favour come Saturday – and their key players will likely play a major part, including the likes of Veatriki Sarri and Katie Robinson.

Schedule and how to watch - 2023 Women's FA Cup Semi-finals

Here’s how the weekend in England is shaping up…

SATURDAY 15 APRIL - WOMEN'S FA CUP 2023 SEMI-FINALS

• Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion (17:15 BST, 16:15 GMT)

SUNDAY 16 APRIL -  WOMEN'S FA CUP 2023 SEMI-FINALS

• Aston Villa vs Chelsea (14:15 BST, 13:15 GMT)

Action from the weekend’s first installment of women’s FA Cup action – United vs Brighton – will be shown live on the BBC for UK viewers, as well as on the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer. The Aston Villa vs Chelsea fixture will also be shown in the same places but will be live on BBC One instead.

Streaming service DAZN will also be showing both semi-final clashes live on their own platforms.

The English FA also make action and highlights available on their website and FAplayer.