A closer than anticipated contest ended in a tight 0-1 scoreline with Sarah Mayling’s 82nd minute own goal making all the difference at Villa Park.
“Even when we didn’t get the points, to get the feeling that the strongest team in the league struggled at Villa Park is good for us.”
Speaking to the press after the final whistle, new head coach, Natalia Arroyo, expressed that the team as a whole, “feel disappointed because we were so, so close… I’m unhappy because the girls were pushing really hard and it’s a strange goal.” The Spaniard acknowledged that causing Chelsea problems was at least a positive they could take away from the match.
After a record breaking transfer window for the London club and a colossal 27 points between the two sides, it was certainly a baptism of fire for Arroyo but what an opportunity to show her intent for the rest of the season.
The Blues were missing notable names Lucy Bronze and had made 5 changes to the starting XI that faced Arsenal last weekend, whereas Villa made four changes to the side that faced Manchester City.
It was clear from the first whistle Arroyo had set her team up to play quick, attacking football and on reflection, it was the most confident the home side have ever looked at their home ground. A stark contrast to the team that started this season.
In the first half, both teams enjoyed spells of possession but the first real chance of the game appeared at the 10 minute mark. Gabi Nunes intercepted a loose ball from Millie Bright and the Brazilian tried to chip the ball over Hannah Hampton. However, the Lionesses’ keeper was able to reach and claim the ball confidently, a wry smile at the early attacking efforts of the home side.
A few minutes later and Chelsea had their own chance as Lauren James had her first shot of the game. Luckily for the home side, a huge full body block by Lucy Parker saw it out for a corner and Bjorn’s header on the subsequent cross angled the ball onto the top of the net to keep the scoreline 0-0.
It was clear that one of Arroyo’s influences on the squad was the incredibly tight backline that Villa were displaying. Lioness Lucy Parker commanding an almost military precise backline throughout the first half, catching the visitors offside on more than one occasion.
The rest of the half saw chances at both ends but hardly anything separated the two sides. Chasity Grant was almost through on goal for Villa just after the 30 minute mark but the offside flag halted their chances at breaking the deadlock.
At the other end of the pitch, Sabrina D’Angelo was also called upon to save a powerful strike and dangerously positioned free kick both from the right foot of Chelsea’s Catarina Macario.
As the second half got underway, Aston Villa once again enjoyed very positive spells of possession and had another half-chance to take the lead. This time it was Rachel Daly who tried an impressive bicycle kick from Kirsty Hanson’s cross but unfortunately lacked any power to trouble Hampton. In fact, it was Bright’s flick of a clearance that came closer to a goal threat as the Lionesses keeper had to rush forward to collect.
In the last 20 minutes of the game, both teams increased their intensity and the most clear-cut chance (for either team) came in the 70th minute.
Lucy Parker’s clearance started a fantastic Villa counter-attack. A lovely through-ball from Jordan Nobbs landed at Kirsty Hanson’s feet and the Scottish international continued down the left wing, outpacing Lawrence before firing a shot from distance. It looked to be straight into the back of the net as Hampton stretched for the save but the ball pinged off the underside of the crossbar and deflected away! Hanson couldn’t do anything but shake her head in disbelief.
Throughout the game, Bompastor was able to showcase her squad depth introducing players such as Ramirez, Nusken and even new signing Keira Walsh was introduced for the final 15 minutes but nothing could break the Villa defence.
As the clock ticked on, it continued to be end-to-end until the 82nd minute. Ramirez tore away down the right hand-side and it looked as though her cross would have found Hamano for a tap in. However, Sarah Mayling (who had fought so hard to track back) got in front of Hamano, intercepted the ball but heartbreakingly, turned it into her own net as it bobbled past D’Angelo’s outstretched feet.
For the final ten minutes, it was Chelsea who carried the momentum as they had multiple chances to increase their lead but Villa’s defence held strong to keep the scoreline at 0-1.
In a glimmer of hope, the home side were given a free kick in the final moments and the deflection even went out for a Villa corner, however the official decision was Chelsea goalkick with Rachel Daly receiving a yellow card for protesting the decision.
As the final whistle sounded, Villa were incredibly unlucky not to get a point from the game as all three points were awarded to Chelsea. However, a very positive feeling from the Villa camp moving forward into the rest of the season.
Aston Villa next host Brighton and Hove Albion in the Fifth Round of the Women’s FA Cup on Saturday 8th February.
Their next league game is against current 11th placed side Leicester City, where a win will be crucial as only one point separates the two sides.
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