Gareth Taylor press conference: Manchester City vs Aston Villa preview

On Vivianne Miedema’s fitness, Taylor said: “We don’t think it’s an issue that’s going to keep her out for her two long”.

Taylor said Wednesday’s 3-2 win over St Polten in the Women’s Champions League showed the “character” of the team.

He said it’s been a “good start” to the season with six straight wins despite thinking that City “couldn’t have had much more of a difficult start”.

“The players have fire in their bellies and intensity in their manner,” Taylor said when asked if he could see a difference from last season within his team.

Aston Villa have “quality in the top end of the pitch” and “good options in back line”.

He said Villa forward Rachel Daly is “always really difficult to play against”.

Taylor said there is “never a good time” for international breaks but that he said the removal of the September international window was a “big improvement”.