Black Queens beat Aston Villa ahead of high-profile friendly against England

Black Queens stepped up their preparations for next week’s high-profile friendly against England with a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa in a training match.The game formed part of Ghana’s build-up to Tuesday’s meeting with the European champions at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton.Ghana approach the England test with confidence and a clear objective as they prepare for next year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.The Black Queens impressed in the previous edition of the tournament, finishing third, and are determined to push further in the upcoming campaign. Facing top European opposition at this stage is seen as a key step in sharpening their competitiveness.Coach Kim Lars Bjorkeren has most of his core squad available for the camp. The team has also welcomed French-born defender Benedicte Simon, who joined the group later in the week but is settling in well. Her addition strengthens the squad’s depth as they continue to build towards a demanding year.The win over Aston Villa offers an encouraging sign as the Black Queens fine-tune their rhythm ahead of Tuesday’s challenge.