Carla Ward’s claret and blue army followed the West Midlands side to Walton Hall Park; knowing, that with both sides plagued with injury, it was going to be a battle until the very end.
Earlier in the week, it was announced that Everton were missing 9 key players from their squad and Villa, constantly plagued with injury, were also without Kirsty Hanson and number one goalkeeper, Daphne van Domselaar. With this in mind, Carla Ward’s team selection surprised a few fans on the day; a possible risky move to go with such an attacking formation… but it was all worth it in the end.
Interestingly, both fans knew one thing, the points won today would ensure survival in the league and they would fight until the end to come away with something.
The whistle finally blew, after a resounding chorus of ‘Spirit of the Blues’, and it was a slow, disappointing start for both teams with neither side able to find their rhythm. Yet it was the home side that seemed to dominate more of the possession and looked the more dangerous, especially when Martina Piemonte or Hanna Bennison got anywhere near the ball. As the half-time whistle blew, neither team looked as though they were close to troubling Courtney Brosnan or Anna Leat; which begged the question, was this destined to be a goalless match?
With score predictions set at 1-2 to Villa by the travelling fans, it was all to play for in the second half and as the whistle sounded once more, it was clear Aston Villa were ready to break the deadlock.
The away side looked more alive, were braver on the ball that in the first half and in the 55th minute were able to capitalise on a lapse of concentration from Everton and through a lovely bit of build up play, saw the magician of midfield, Kenza Dali, fire home from the edge of the box to the roar of the travelling fans. Her first goal of the season.
A beautiful moment for the French international, that was signed off with Dali and Daly’s signature ‘selfie’ pose as the fans reflected on what could have been this season without so many injuries. For comparison, Dali scored 5 goals and contributed 8 assists last season (compared to 1G and 1A this season); being part of the trio alongside Daly and Hanson, that took Villa to their highest scoring season yet. Another glimpse of the magic and quality still possessed within this Villa side, after what can only be described as a disastrous start to the season.
5 minutes later and Aston Villa weren’t done yet, after maintaining possession from a set piece, a lovely curling ball from Jordan Nobbs found the head of Ebony Salmon and moments later the back of the net was rippling to signify Villa had doubled their lead.
A huge moment for the young Lioness, who made a rare start for the club (after the injury to Kirsty Hanson last week against Arsenal in the Continental Cup) and another moment to show her quality on the ball and again, what the future could hold for Villa.
With at least thirty minutes left to play, the game certainly wasn’t over as Everton regained their strength and composure and fought Villa right until the very end. It was also fantastic to see Adriana Leon return from a successful run in the Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup and Freya Gregory, Georgia Mullett and Miri Taylor getting some very deserved game time deep in the second half.
It was possible that too many changes by Ward lead to some confusion at the back, as Elise Stenevik became the Toffee’s rescuer that afternoon. Using her head to convert another wonderful Aurora Galli freekick straight into the back of the Villa net. An unfortunate goalkeeping error on Villa’s part too, as Anna Leat came too far out and just couldn’t get to the ball first. Rachel Daly, who was playing more as an attacking midfielder that forward, almost made a spectacular goal-line clearance (once again) but it was just too late.
With 10 minutes to go, this game could still go either way and with both sets of fans singing loudly, spurring on their teams right until the end, it was clear everyone took a collective deep breath, as we entered into extra time.
Villa were ramping up their shots on target, there was an Everton penalty shout that was dismissed and also a red card (second yellow) in the 96th minute for goalscorer Elise Stenevik, that was to be the nail in their coffin, and even worse, another playing missing from the Merseyside derby next week. The sigh of relief from the Villa fans was astronomical when the final whistle went and the realisation the 3 points were all theirs and were coming back to the West Midlands. That makes it 3 wins in 3 at Walton Hall Park for Aston Villa, somewhat of a lucky charm for the gaffer.
The win should hopefully give Carla Ward’s side the confidence and fire power needed to face Arsenal at Villa Park in the next league game, after suffering a huge defeat (4-0) midweek to the North London side.
Everton Women next face Liverpool Women in the Merseyside derby at Goodison park in their next league fixture (go and support if you can!)
– Aston Villa Women sit 7th in the Women’s Super League with 19 points, Everton women are two places behind in 9th with 14 points (equal on points with Brighton with a +1 goal difference).
Want to experience match day as a Villa Women fan at both home and away fixtures?
Here at The Whole 115 Yards we’re proud to have worked in partnership with the Aston Villa Women Fan Club to create their very first matchday vlogs!
Check the first installment below and remember to follow, like and subscribe to both The Whole 115 Yards and the Aston Women Villa Fan Club on Youtube (and across all social media) for all of your latest women’s football updates!
Leave a Reply