Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea moved ten points clear at the top of the Barclays Women’s Super League table after a late own goal from Sarah Mayling downed a resilient Aston Villa side. It was new Villans boss Natalia Arroyo’s first game in charge.
Villa defended extremely well and made Chelsea work for all three points at Villa Park. An incredible save-of-the-season contender from Hannah Hampton kept Villa out before the unfortunate Mayling’s late own goal.
As it happened
Arroyo took to the dugout for the first time for the Villans following Shaun Goater’s interim spell in charge. Deadline day signings Keira Walsh and Femke Liefting were on the bench for the Blues, whilst Lauren James returned to the starting eleven for the first time since October.
There were chances for both sides early on; overplaying by the Villa defence allowed Guro Reiten to set up Lauren James, but Lucy Parker defended well to prevent her getting a shot away. After 14 minutes, Hannah Hampton almost gave Arroyo a welcome gift when she scuffed a pass into the path of Villa forward Gabi Nunes. Her attempted chip from 25 yards was claimed by the relieved Chelsea keeper. Parker stepped in soon after to stop Villa going behind, blocking an attempt from James that had beaten Sabrina D’Angelo.
Chances began to come thick and fast for Chelsea. Catarina Macario whipped an inch-perfect cross to the back post from a short corner, but Erin Cuthbert somehow diverted the ball towards the penalty spot rather than the goal. Villa refused to be dominated, with Rachel Daly linking up well with Kirsty Hanson to create issues for the champions. At the interval, despite a chance at the other end for Aggie Beever-Jones, it remained 0-0.
Sonia Bompastor brought on Johanna Rytting Kaneryd at the break for Reiten, and introduced Sjoeke Nüsken and Mayra Ramírez not long after. Wieke Kaptein and Beever-Jones were taken off as the Chelsea boss sought to break down their resilient opponents. The champions still struggled against Arroyo’s side and chances were few and far between for most of the half.
Villa would have taken a shock lead in the 72nd minute if not for Hampton’s heroics. Some super play from Daly and Jordan Nobbs sent Hanson racing towards goal. Her powerful effort saw Hampton make a phenomenal fingertip save, pushing the ball onto the woodwork.
Ten minutes later, there was heartbreak for Villa. Ramírez found herself with time and space on the right-hand side, and saw her teammate waiting at the back post. The unfortunate Sarah Mayling attempted to divert the danger away but saw her block trickle agonisingly over the line past a stranded D’Angelo.
It was a cruel end for a Villa side who can take plenty of positives from Arroyo’s first game in charge.
At the end of the weekend, Chelsea are seven points clear at the top. Villa remain ninth.
The lineups
AV: D’Angelo; Mayling, Patten, Parker, Maritz; Nobbs, Baijings; Grant, Hanson, Nunes; Daly
CHE: Hampton; Lawrence, Björn, Bright, Charles; Cuthbert, Kaptein; James, Reiten, Macario; Beever-Jones
