We chat all things WSL with Aston Villa's Kenza Dali at EA Sports' Women's Football Summit

We were lucky enough to attend EA Sport’s Women’s Football Summit in London to celebrate the launch of the Women’s Super League in FIFA23.  

First up, we spoke to attacking midfielder Kenza Dali who signed for Aston Villa over the summer. The France international has enjoyed a spectacular start to the season in claret and blue having been instrumental in goal creation and assisting, and has even hit the back of the net herself.     

On the red carpet, we chatted all things WSL and touched upon the impact of women’s leagues becoming available to play on FIFA, here’s what Dali had to say…

Settling in at Aston Villa…

“I feel really good to be honest. We had a really good start to the season, obviously a bit disappointed with the game [last] weekend but you know you’re going to drop points in this league because every team is hard to beat. But I feel really good, it’s a really nice group.”

Playing under Carla Ward….

“I really love my manager. Really, really, a good manager. A nice human being first of all, which makes things easier, and she’s working hard. I think she deserves the credit that she had this last month.”

Kenza Dali on the red carpet at the Women's Football Summit

Oppositions in the WSL….

“To be honest it’s a really hard league. When I’m watching every week and I analyse the opposition, I think “oof, another tough one”. You can never go easy. You play in this league for that and I love that.”

The toughest league opposition…

“I will go for Chelsea. I think Chelsea have a really strong team with a big depth, so this season I would go with Chelsea. But Arsenal, I think, have really improved.”

Whether the league is becoming more competitive….

“Definitely. I don’t think there’s any team that you’re going to start the game and say “oh, it’s going to be an easy one today, or that I can be at 60 or 70 per cent.” I think in this league, if you’re at 70 per cent, you can’t win games.”

The WSL being available to play in FIFA23….

“To be honest I played as myself in the previous game because the national team was in it. But seeing me in the club kit is amazing! I think it’s a big part of the game too because it shows how much the game has improved.

“As I’m passionate about football, I love football - I’m eating, I‘m drinking football – I would love to go back, say, ten years before and play as some of the girls back then. I would love that. So, I think it’s amazing for the new generation.”

Dali is in action this weekend against her former club Everton as Aston Villa host the Toffees on Saturday at 12:30am (BST). The game is available to watch live on the FA Player.