Palace boss asks his players to turn over a new Leif in a bid for survival

CRYSTAL PALACE boss Leif Smerud believes today's meeting with fellow Women’s Super League strugglers Aston Villa is a “great opportunity” for his side.

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Palace are rock bottom of the standings having only picked up six points from 15 league games so far this season, with their sole win of the campaign coming against Leicester back in October.

In his third game in charge since replacing Laura Kaminski at the helm, Smerud's side now have a chance to close the gap on Villa, who sit only one place above them with four more points - and Smerud knows just what is at stake.

He said: "It's a great opportunity to close in.

“We of course know what kind of game this is, so we are looking forward to it and know that it's a good chance for us to close the gap - for that reason we are looking forward to it.